Cervical Cancer Screening and HPV Vaccine for Women

Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be largely prevented. The cause is well understood, a vaccine exists, and a screening test can find changes years before they turn into cancer. Even so, it remains a major cause of illness among Indian women, because many never get screened.

This guide explains the link with the human papillomavirus (HPV), how screening works, who should be screened and when, and what to know about HPV vaccination in India.

Cervical Cancer and HPV

The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the womb. According to the World Health Organization, almost all cervical cancers are caused by long-lasting infection with certain high-risk types of HPV, and types 16 and 18 together account for about three quarters of cases worldwide. HPV is very common and spreads through skin-to-skin sexual contact. Most infections clear on their own, but in some women the virus lingers and slowly causes abnormal cell changes, which can take 15 to 20 years to become cancer.

In India, government sources describe cervical cancer as the second most common cancer among women, with over 1.2 lakh new cases and nearly 80,000 deaths each year (GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates). The good news is that early detection and treatment give excellent results.

Symptoms: Do Not Wait for Them

Early changes usually cause no symptoms at all, which is the main reason screening exists. WHO lists signs that should prompt a prompt check-up:

• Bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause
• Unusual, heavy or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Pelvic, back or leg pain that does not go away
• Unexplained weight loss, tiredness or loss of appetite

These symptoms have many causes, and most are not cancer. They still deserve a medical check. Our article on gynecological problems not to ignore may also help.

How Screening Works

Screening means testing healthy women to find early changes. Methods include:

• HPV test: looks for high-risk HPV in a sample of cells from the cervix. WHO says samples collected by the woman herself are as reliable as clinician-collected ones
• Pap test (smear): examines cervical cells under a microscope for abnormal changes
• Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA): the cervix is examined by eye after applying dilute acetic acid, and it is the method used in India’s public programme

For the CDC, no special preparation is needed for an HPV test, and for a Pap test it advises avoiding sex, douching and vaginal medicines for two days beforehand. Having your period does not prevent testing. The sample is taken with a speculum and takes a few minutes. It may be uncomfortable but should not be seriously painful.

Who Should Be Screened, and How Often?

Recommendations differ, so guidelines vary and you should follow your doctor’s advice:

• WHO: a high-performance test such as an HPV test starting at age 30, repeated every 5 to 10 years, and every 3 to 5 years for women living with HIV, who should start at 25
• US CDC: Pap tests from 21; from 30 to 65, an HPV test alone or with a Pap test every five years, or a Pap test alone every three years
• India’s public programme: government statements say screening targets women aged 30 to 65 using VIA at sub-health centres, primary health centres and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, with women who test positive referred for further checks. Over 10 crore women have been screened so far

An abnormal result does not mean you have cancer. Most minor changes clear without treatment, and when needed, quick treatments remove precancerous areas. The important thing is to go back for follow-up. If you are unsure of when you were last screened, ask your doctor, and read our overview of regular gynecological check-ups.

The HPV Vaccine

HPV vaccination protects against the high-risk types most likely to cause cancer. WHO says the best age to vaccinate is 9 to 14 years, before sexual activity starts, and it should be done in one or two doses depending on the national schedule. People with weakened immunity may need extra doses. The CDC adds that mild side effects such as a sore arm or fever are common and that people should sit for 15 minutes after the injection to prevent fainting. It is not recommended during pregnancy.

India’s HPV vaccination drive

In February 2026 India launched a nationwide HPV vaccination programme for girls aged 14. According to government and All India Radio reports:

• The vaccine, Gardasil, is free at designated government facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, community health centres, and district and sub-district hospitals
• The drive aims to reach about 1.15 crore girls each year, as a three-month special campaign, after which the vaccine continues on routine immunisation days
• It is voluntary and needs informed consent from a parent or guardian

Details such as eligibility, dose numbers and dates can change, so ask your nearest government health facility or your doctor what applies to your daughter. Girls and women outside the campaign age group, and boys, are not covered by it, so ask your doctor whether vaccination is advisable for them.

Important: vaccination does not replace screening. WHO stresses that vaccinated women still need to be screened, because the vaccine does not cover every cancer-causing type and precancers rarely cause symptoms.

Lowering Your Risk

• Get screened on schedule from the recommended age
• Vaccinate eligible girls
• Practise safe sex, and ask your doctor about HIV and other infections
• Report unusual bleeding or discharge promptly
• Maintain overall health with our regular health check-ups

What Happens After an Abnormal Result?

Hearing that a test was abnormal is worrying, but the CDC emphasises that abnormal Pap results are usually caused by HPV and most minor changes resolve on their own. Depending on the result, your doctor may repeat the test after some time, perform a closer examination of the cervix called colposcopy, take a small tissue sample, or recommend a short treatment that removes the abnormal area. WHO describes treatments for precancer, such as thermal ablation, cryotherapy and loop excision, as quick and effective.

The key is to attend every follow-up visit. Treatment at the precancer stage usually prevents cancer from developing at all.

Myths to Leave Behind

• “I feel fine, so I don’t need a test.” Precancers rarely cause symptoms, which is why screening is advised for women who feel well
• “Only women with many partners get HPV.” HPV is very common and most people who are sexually active will encounter it at some point
• “I am past menopause, so I can stop.” Whether you can stop depends on your age and past results, so ask your doctor instead of deciding alone

When to Call or Visit

Speak with a doctor if you are 30 or older and have never been screened, if you have bleeding after sex or between periods, if you have unusual discharge or pelvic pain, or if a previous test was abnormal and you did not follow up.

To discuss screening and prevention, book an appointment or call +91 944 103 0587 at Chaitanya Hospital in Kadapa. See the hospital’s specialities. Delivery and emergency care are open 24/7.

This article is for general education only. It is not a substitute for a doctor’s advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please talk to your own doctor about your situation.