State cancer institute Jammu, in line with its commitment to prevent and treat 

JAMMU July 22:The immunization camp was inaugurated by Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma, Principal and Dean GMC Jammu and speaking on the occasion she highlighted that this the initiative will have a positive impact on the lives of countless women in Jammuand Kashmir UT.

Dr Rajiv K Gupta, HOD Department of Community Medicine elaborated thatglobally Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in females with an estimated 6,04,000 new cases and 3,42,000 deaths. In India, Cervical cancer is 

the 2nd most common cancer amongst females. Almost all cervical cancer cases 

(99%) are linked to persistent infection with high-risk human papilloma viruses (HPV), an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact.
The camp was organised by Dr Bhavna Langer, Associate Professor and Nodal 

Officer Preventive Oncology Unit, for students, staff members and wards of faculty members of GMC Jammu to give the message of importance of this vaccine for females. Apart from Cervical cancer, HPV can cause vaginal and vulvar cancer in females and anal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer and genital warts in both males and females. Cervical cancer is highly preventable through 

vaccination against HPV and regular cervical cancer screenings. The Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination can prevent more than 90 per cent of cervical cancers when given at the recommended age. Before cervical cancer develops, there are often pre-cancerous changes in the cells of the cervix. It can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly. Dr Richa Mahajan, Assistant professor, Dr Kamna Singh, Lecturer, Dr Sakshi Manhas and Dr Imran Zaffer actively contributed towards the successful implementation of the vaccination 

drive.Dr Deepak Kumar Dy. Medical Superintendent State Cancer Institute Jammu

said that India’s first indigenous vaccine against cervical cancer is now available to the masses, at an affordable price along with free oral, breast and cervical 

cancer screening, at the Preventive Oncology OPD, SCIJ. The vaccine is recommended for young girls (as well as boys) between 9 to 26 years of age.

 (NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)