11 Reproductive Health Facts from India and Beyond That Need More Awareness

4. Cervical cancer prevention and screening are underused despite clear solutions

Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet screening and vaccination coverage remain low in many parts of India. WHO guidance emphasizes both HPV vaccination and regular screening as high-impact interventions, but access gaps and low awareness limit uptake. Screening can find precancerous changes early, and HPV vaccine programs can prevent most cervical cancers when delivered before exposure. Barriers include limited screening infrastructure in rural clinics, lack of trained staff, and social stigma or misinformation about tests and vaccines. Some programs have started mobile screening camps and community education drives, but scale and continuity are needed. Integrating cervical screening with routine reproductive health visits, training primary-care staff in simple screening methods, and making HPV vaccine available and affordable can change the picture. Engaging trusted community figures to explain the importance of screening and vaccination reduces fear, and tailoring messages to local language and concerns improves acceptance. With the right investments, cervical cancer should be an avoidable disease rather than a common cause of female mortality.