Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addresses concerns about low cervical cancer screening rates among Indian women. The government aims to increase awareness and screening through existing initiatives like Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) and the National Health Mission (NHM). A nationwide NCD Screening Campaign was conducted from February 20th to March 31st, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Awareness and Education:**
* Focus on promoting wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level through AAMs.
* Utilize print, electronic, and social media to raise awareness about cervical cancer and healthy lifestyles.
* ASHA workers educate the public on early detection through health checkups and screenings.
* **Screening Initiatives:**
* Population-based screening for NCDs, including cervical cancer, is rolled out under NHM through AAMs.
* Cervical cancer screening targets women aged 30-65 years, using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) every five years at public health facilities, including AAMs.
* VIA-positive cases are referred to higher centers for further diagnostic procedures.
* ASHA workers conduct risk assessments using Community Based Assessment Checklist (CBAC) forms and refer individuals to AAMs for screening.
* **NCD Screening Campaign:**
* A nationwide NCD Screening Campaign was launched from February 20th to March 31st, 2025, to achieve universal screening of individuals aged 30 years and above.
* The campaign was conducted across AAMs and other healthcare facilities under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.
* As of July 20th, 2025, 10.18 crore females aged 30 years and above have been screened for cervical cancer out of an eligible population of 25.42 crore.
Impact Analysis:
* **Women aged 30-65:**
* Impact: Increased access to cervical cancer screening and early detection through AAMs and community health workers.
* Action Required: Participate in screening programs when invited by ASHA workers or at AAMs.
* **ASHA Workers:**
* Impact: Play a crucial role in risk assessment, referral, and community awareness regarding cervical cancer screening.
* Action Required: Utilize CBAC forms for risk assessment and refer eligible women to AAMs for screening; educate the community on the importance of early detection.
* **Public Health Facilities (AAMs, Primary Health Centres):**
* Impact: Serve as primary centers for cervical cancer screening using VIA.
* Action Required: Provide VIA screening services to eligible women and refer positive cases to higher centers for diagnosis and treatment.
* **State Governments/Union Territories:**
* Impact: Implementation of awareness generation activities as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs), supported by NHM funding.
* Action Required: Plan and implement awareness campaigns, allocate resources for screening programs, and monitor screening coverage.
Key Entities Referenced
SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI: Member of Parliament who raised the question about cervical cancer screening.
SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV: Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare who provided the answer.
National Health Mission (NHM): A national program providing funds to States and Union Territories for awareness generation activities, including those related to cervical cancer.
Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM): Health and wellness centers that provide comprehensive primary health care, including cervical cancer screening.
Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA): A method used for cervical cancer screening at public health facilities.
National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases: A national program under which the NCD Screening Campaign was conducted.
Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA): A community health worker who performs risk assessments and refers individuals for cervical cancer screening.
NCD Screening Campaign: A campaign launched by the Ministry of Health Family Welfare to achieve universal screening of individuals aged 30 years and above for non-communicable diseases.
GOVERNMENT OFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1122
TOBE ANSWERED ON 25TH JULY,2025
SCREENING OFCERVICALCANCER AMONG WOMEN
1122. SMT.KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(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 detailsthereof;
(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
accordinglyandif so, the detailsthereof;
(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
andespeciallyinunderserved andrural areasandif 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 OFSTATE INTHE MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND
FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to (d) Health is a State subject. However, preventive aspect of Cancer is strengthened under
Comprehensive PrimaryHealth Care through AyushmanArogya Mandirs (AAM) bypromotion
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
includingAAM -Sub-HealthCentres, AAM- PrimaryHealthCentres bytrainedhealthworkers.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 andabove by using Community Based Assessment
Checklist (CBAC) forms andbring the individualstoAAM for screening of cervicalcancerand
other common NCDs. She also makes aware public regarding significance of early detection
through regularhealthcheck-upsandscreenings.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had launched NCD Screening Campaign (20th
February, 2025to31st March 2025) to achieveuniversal screening of individuals aged30 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 beentakentoimprove the current proportion of cervical cancerscreening of women above
30yearsof age inthe country.
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