Kulal Santhosha, H K Jayashree, Shivapura Anandakumar Arpita, H R Rashmi, G Pushpa
Radiation Oncology, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Kolar, IND.
Pathology, Sri Chamundeshwari Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Mandya, IND.
Cureus. 2025 Jul 29;17(7):e88967. doi: 10.7759/cureus.88967. eCollection 2025 Jul.
Cervical cancer remains a major health concern in India, despite being preventable through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and routine screening. This review examines the key barriers that prevent early detection and treatment, focusing on healthcare system challenges, sociocultural influences, and economic factors. The findings highlight that many women, especially those from rural and lower-income communities, do not have access to proper screening or vaccination due to a lack of awareness, financial difficulties, and inadequate healthcare facilities. Cultural stigma and misinformation about HPV vaccines further discourage preventive measures. The healthcare system itself faces limitations, including a shortage of trained medical professionals, insufficient screening programs, and delays in diagnosis. Many women are only diagnosed when the disease has already progressed, making treatment less effective. Regional differences also play a role, with some states having better access to care while others struggle with limited resources. To reduce the impact of cervical cancer in India, this review suggests increasing awareness through community-based education programs, integrating HPV vaccines into the national immunization plan, and improving access to screening facilities, especially in rural areas. Training healthcare workers to educate and encourage women to get screened and vaccinated can also lead to better outcomes. Mobile screening units and digital health initiatives can help further reach underserved populations. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of these interventions, understanding the reasons behind vaccine hesitancy, and exploring new ways to improve healthcare access for women. A coordinated approach involving the government, healthcare providers, and community organizations is necessary to ensure that all women, regardless of their background, have access to life-saving prevention and treatment options.
尽管宫颈癌可通过人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）疫苗接种和常规筛查预防，但在印度它仍是一个主要的健康问题。本综述探讨了阻碍早期发现和治疗的关键障碍，重点关注医疗系统挑战、社会文化影响和经济因素。研究结果表明，许多女性，尤其是农村和低收入社区的女性，由于缺乏认识、经济困难和医疗设施不足，无法获得适当的筛查或疫苗接种。关于HPV疫苗的文化污名和错误信息进一步阻碍了预防措施。医疗系统本身也面临限制，包括训练有素的医疗专业人员短缺、筛查项目不足以及诊断延误。许多女性直到疾病已经进展才被诊断出来，这使得治疗效果不佳。地区差异也起了作用，一些邦有更好的医疗服务可及性，而其他邦则在资源有限的情况下苦苦挣扎。为了减少宫颈癌在印度的影响，本综述建议通过基于社区的教育项目提高认识，将HPV疫苗纳入国家免疫计划，并改善筛查设施的可及性，特别是在农村地区。培训医护人员对女性进行教育并鼓励她们接受筛查和接种疫苗也能带来更好的结果。移动筛查单位和数字健康倡议有助于进一步惠及服务不足的人群。未来的研究应侧重于评估这些干预措施的有效性，了解疫苗犹豫背后的原因，并探索改善女性医疗服务可及性的新方法。政府、医疗服务提供者和社区组织需要采取协调一致的方法，以确保所有女性，无论其背景如何，都能获得挽救生命的预防和治疗选择。
