New Campaign Challenges HPV Misinformation Beyond Cervical Cancer

The Serum Institute of India has initiated a comprehensive nationwide campaign to dispel common misconceptions surrounding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical cancer alone. Held at the Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025, the event highlighted HPV's association with multiple cancers, affecting men and women across the nation.

'Through these conclaves held across the country, we aim to increase understanding of HPV and its link to cervical and other cancers,' stated Parag Deshmukh, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India. By bringing together medical experts and community members, the campaign calls for heightened awareness, early detection, and preventative measures.

Experts emphasized that the highest rate of HPV infection occurs between ages 15 and 25, making early awareness and action critical. With affordable vaccines now available, the emphasis is on protecting individuals from HPV-related cancers. Despite these efforts, India still faces a troubling rate of HPV-related diseases, with over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 related deaths annually, according to the Catalan Institute of Oncology and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

(With inputs from agencies.)