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Cervical cancer screening across India

UID: HW-20240129-IN-02

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Meta Data

Source

National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21

Last Updated

January 29, 2025

Time Range

2019-21

Periodicity

Annual

Overview

The primary screening test for cervical cancer is the Pap smear (Pap test) and the HPV test. The Pap test detects abnormal cells in the cervix that may develop into cancer. In contrast, the HPV test identifies high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) strains, the main cause of cervical cancer. Regular screening helps in early detection and timely treatment, significantly reducing the risk of cancer progression. Women aged 21 to 65 are advised to undergo Pap tests every three years or a combination of Pap and HPV testing every five years after 30. Vaccination against HPV further lowers the risk. Early detection through screening improves survival rates and prevents complications, making it a crucial preventive measure.

Trends & Insights

The national average of 1.91% of women aged 30- 49 years who have ever undergone a screening test for cervical cancer indicates that an alarmingly small proportion of Indian women have undergone this crucial screening test, pointing to significant challenges in preventive healthcare delivery and awareness. Tamil Nadu outperformed other states in terms of cervical cancer screening, with 9.78% of women having undergone the test. While still modest by global standards, this achievement represents a significant success story in the Indian context. This southern state’s performance can be understood through its robust public health infrastructure, higher health awareness among women, and successful implementation of screening programs. Similarly, Puducherry also showed encouraging performance with 7.4% of women aged 30- 49 years who have ever undergone a screening test for cervical cancer, likely benefiting due to its smaller geographical area, which allows for better healthcare delivery and its cultural proximity to Tamil Nadu. Mizoram reported screening rates of 6.87%, which was significantly higher than those of its neighbouring states in the northeast. This success of Mizoram becomes even more noteworthy when we consider the state’s challenging terrain and relatively remote location. The achievement suggests that when implemented effectively, targeted healthcare initiatives can overcome geographical and infrastructural challenges. The southern states have generally demonstrated better performance in cervical cancer screening. Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Telangana reported 4.65%, 3.46%, and 3.28% screening rates respectively. These figures, while still low, reflect the historical advantages these states have enjoyed in healthcare infrastructure and women’s education. Kerala’s performance, in particular, can be linked to its high female literacy rates and strong primary healthcare network. However, the relatively low percentage suggests that even in better-performing states, significant room for improvement exists. A deeply concerning pattern emerges when we look at some of the larger states. West Bengal, Assam and Gujarat reported just 0.2%, 0.21%, and 0.24% screening rates respectively. These extremely low figures become even more alarming when we consider the large female populations in these states, suggesting that millions of women have never accessed this essential preventive healthcare service. The situation in states like Bihar (0.82%) and Uttar Pradesh (1.54%) also raised serious concerns, given their large populations and the consequent number of women who remained unscreened. The data from union territories presents an interesting contrast. While Puducherry showed relatively high screening rates, other UTs like Ladakh (0.28%) and Delhi (0.68%) showed surprisingly low figures. This variation becomes particularly noteworthy in the case of Delhi, where, despite better healthcare infrastructure and higher average income levels, cervical cancer screening rates remained substantially below the national average. The low screening rates across most of the states in India indicate systemic challenges that go beyond mere healthcare infrastructure. These might include social taboos around women’s health issues, lack of awareness about the importance of preventive screening, financial constraints, and possibly healthcare provider attitudes. The success stories of states like Tamil Nadu and Mizoram offer valuable lessons about addressing these challenges through targeted interventions and sustained public health campaigns.

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Citation

Please cite this article using proper attribution to 360 Analytika when referencing or sharing our content.

NFHS-5 (2019-21) National Report and Factsheets. (2025). Cervical cancer screening across India (360 Analytika, Ed.) [Dataset]. https://360analytika.com/cervical-cancer-screening-across-india/

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