The Tamil Nadu health department is set to enhance cervical cancer screening rates among women by distributing HPV self-test kits. Recognizing the hesitation many women feel toward hospital visits for screening, especially for cervical cancer, the initiative targets women aged 35 and older. HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is the leading cause of cervical cancer, accounting for approximately 95% of cases globally, as reported by health authorities.
The pilot program will first focus on Dharmapuri district, noted for having the highest cervical cancer incidence in Tamil Nadu, aiming to reach around 25,000 women. Officials attribute the low participation in cervical cancer screenings to women's discomfort with hospital visits required for providing vaginal samples. Under the new initiative, trained health workers will deliver self-test kits directly to women’s homes, enabling them to collect vaginal swabs privately and submit their samples to health workers for laboratory processing.
Furthermore, to bolster awareness and educate women on how to properly use the self-test kits, an intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign will be rolled out. However, health officials acknowledge that the final standard operating procedure (SOP) for these tests remains under preparation, indicating that adjustments to implementation guidelines may occur.
Recent data from the Tamil Nadu Cancer Registry Project indicates a crude incidence rate of cervical cancer at 14 cases per one lakh population statewide, with Dharmapuri reporting a significantly higher rate of 36.2. Chennai follows closely with an incidence of 13.0, while other districts like Perambalur and Ariyalur show rates of 36.0 and 29.9 respectively. In addition to screening initiatives, Tamil Nadu is also actively working to lower cervical cancer rates through vaccination campaigns targeting girls aged 14 against HPV. The procurement of HPV vaccines is currently underway, with plans for a vaccination program introduced last year aimed at districts including Dharmapuri, Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Tiruvannamalai. In March 2024, the Chief Minister launched a new HPV vaccination initiative at Adyar Cancer Institute, reinforcing the commitment to improve cervical cancer prevention in the region.