Lok Sabha Question No. 1122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Screening of Cervical Cancer among Women
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1122 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH JULY, 2025

## SCREENING OF CERVICALCANCER AMONG WOMEN

## 1122. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government is aware that cervical cancer screening levels among Indian women remain extremely low, primarily due to lack of awareness and affordability and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has assessed the public ' s understanding of HPV and cervical cancer and plans to roll out structured Statelevel awareness and screening campaigns accordingly and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government intends to integrate cervical cancer screening (e.g., Visual Inspection with Acetic acid and Papanicolaou test -VIA/Pap test) into routine Community Health Centre and Primary Health Centre services and possibly through mobile screening units and especially in underserved and rural areas and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the timeline within which the Ministry aims to raise the national screening rate from the current 2 percent to at least 50 percent among women aged 30 to 49, in line with WHO recommendations?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (d) Health is a State subject. However, preventive aspect of Cancer is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness about Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cervical cancer and Promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of National Cancer Awareness Day and World Cancer Day & use of print, electronic and social media for continued community awareness. Under National Health Mission (NHM), funds are provided to States & Union Territories for awareness generation activities as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

A population-based initiative for screening, management and prevention of common Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cervical cancer has been rolled out as a part of comprehensive Primary Health Care in the country under NHM through AAM. The screening for cervical cancer targets women aged between 30 to 65 years, and is primarily conducted using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), once in five years at public health facilities including AAM -Sub-Health Centres, AAM- Primary Health Centres by trained health workers.

The Visual Inspection with Acetic acid -positive cases are referred to higher centres for further diagnostic procedures.

At the community, the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) does risk assessment of individuals in the age groups of thirty years and above by using Community Based Assessment Checklist (CBAC) forms and bring the individuals to AAM for screening of cervical cancer and other common NCDs. She also makes aware public regarding significance of early detection through regular health check-ups and screenings.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had launched NCD Screening Campaign (20th February, 2025 to 31st March 2025) to achieve universal screening of individuals aged 30 years and above. The campaign was conducted nationwide across AAMs and other healthcare facilities under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.

As per National NCD Portal as on 20th July 2025, out of an eligible population of 25.42 crore females aged 30 years and above, 10.18 Crores have been screened for cervical cancer. Efforts have been taken to improve the current proportion of cervical cancer screening of women above 30 years of age in the country.

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