Published Jun 30, 2026 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 30, 2026 | 7:00 AM
The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates a "90-70-90" strategy to fight cervical cancer. (File)
Synopsis: Cancer screening rates in Telangana paint a bleak picture. The state needs to invest money and will in vaccination, screening, and education if it wishes to turn the tide.
Cervical cancer, once considered a preventable tragedy primarily afflicting poor women, continues to cast a long shadow over public health in Telangana.
Recent data points to a concerning rise in overall cancer incidence in the state, with cervical cancer remaining a significant contributor among women. The total cancer cases in Telangana have climbed steadily from approximately 40,177 in 2015 to 52,334 in 2024—a roughly 30% increase over the decade. Projections for 2026 estimate the state will see the addition of over 46,762 new cancer cases, with women bearing a disproportionate burden (around 25,510 cases). While breast cancer leads among females, cervical cancer follows closely as a major threat, often diagnosed at advanced stages.
Nationally, India accounts for a staggering share of the global cervical cancer burden. The country reported around 127,526 new cases and 79,906 deaths in recent estimates.
Telangana mirrors this pattern, with hospital registries like those at the MNJ Institute of Oncology in Hyderabad registering high volumes of cases. Cervical cancer incidence in Hyderabad stands at about 12.1 per 100,000 women, placing it at a moderate but worrisome level. Many women in the state, particularly in rural areas, present at Stage 3 or 4, where treatment becomes more complex and outcomes poorer.
The primary culprit is persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), especially types 16 and 18, responsible for 70-80% of cases in India. Other risk factors prevalent in Telangana and similar regions include early marriage, multiple pregnancies, poor genital hygiene, tobacco use (including smokeless forms), and limited access to screening. Socio-economic barriers exacerbate the problem: low awareness, stigma around gynaecological health, and neglect of symptoms until they become severe. Rural women, who often face greater reproductive health challenges, are disproportionately affected.
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Screening rates in Telangana paint an even bleaker picture.
Less than 4% of women aged 30-49 have undergone any cancer screening, with cervical cancer screening specifically at a dismal 3.3%. Breast cancer screening lags at just 0.3%. This contrasts sharply with the potential for early detection. Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), Pap smears, and HPV DNA tests can identify precancerous lesions effectively. Yet, coverage remains abysmally low due to inadequate infrastructure, trained personnel, and community outreach in many districts.
On a positive note, Telangana has initiated steps forward. The state launched an HPV vaccination drive targeting girls aged 14-15, administering over 24,000 doses in the first month alone across all 33 districts. This aligns with national efforts under the National Cancer Control Programme and reflects growing recognition that vaccination before sexual debut can prevent up to 90% of HPV-related cervical cancers. Advocacy programs by institutions like IIPH-Hyderabad and medical colleges are also pushing for better awareness.
However, vaccination alone is insufficient without robust screening and treatment ecosystems. The World Health Organisation (WHO) advocates a “90-70-90” strategy: 90% of girls vaccinated by age 15, 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by age 35 and again by 45, and 90% of those with cervical disease treated.
Telangana must accelerate progress toward these targets. Expanding population-based screening through primary health centres, ASHAs, and mobile units, coupled with awareness campaigns in local languages, is critical. Integration with existing NCD screening programs under Ayushman Bharat could yield dividends.
The economic and social toll is immense.
Cervical cancer strikes women in their prime—often mothers and breadwinners—leading to lost productivity, family distress, and high out-of-pocket expenses. Advanced treatments strain public health resources at facilities like MNJ, where daily new registrations hover around 100 cases.
Early detection not only saves lives but also significantly reduces treatment costs and improves quality of life. Oncologists emphasise that many cervical cancers are curable if caught early through simple interventions.
Challenges persist: cultural taboos, hesitancy toward vaccines, and uneven urban-rural healthcare access. Misinformation about HPV vaccination must be countered with evidence-based communication. Partnerships with NGOs, private hospitals, and corporates for subsidised vaccines and screening camps can bridge gaps. Data from the National Cancer Registry Programme and state profiles should guide targeted interventions in high-burden districts.
The steady rise of cancer cases, including cervical cancer, in Telangana is not inevitable. It reflects a mix of demographic shifts, lifestyle changes, and systemic gaps in prevention. With political will, community engagement, and sustained investment in vaccination, screening, and education, the state can turn the tide.
On this front, every delayed Pap smear or missed vaccination opportunity represents a preventable loss. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and civil society must collaborate urgently to prioritise women’s health. The goal should be clear: make cervical cancer a rare disease in Telangana within the next decade. The tools exist; what remains is the commitment to deploy them at scale.
Also Read: Tamil Nadu tops cancer costs, Telangana heart, Kerala kidneys—South India pays most for its diseases
(Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
