Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in India and the only type of cancer which can be prevented with a vaccine. Yet, awareness on both screening for this cancer and the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent it remains low.
Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology Cancer Research and Training Centre, the only government cancer hospital in Karnataka, sees nearly 1500 cases of cervical cancer each year, most of whom come in the late stages.