The Union Health Ministry has tested nearly 40% of women eligible for cervical cancer screening as of July 20 this year, according to a response by the Centre in Parliament.
The ministry stated that out of an eligible population of 25.42 crore females aged 30 years and above, 10.18 crore have been screened for cervical cancer, based on data from the National Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Portal.
In a written response to Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK) on Friday, Union Health Minister Prataprao Jadhav said the government is using use print, electronic, and social media platforms to raise community awareness and ensure public engagement on NCDs including cervical cancer. Events such as National Cancer Awareness Day and World Cancer Day are observed regularly, the minister noted.
The minister also highlighted the role of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in spreading awareness at the grassroots level. These workers identify individuals at risk, educate them about early detection and healthy lifestyles, and encourage participation in regular check-ups and screenings at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM), he said.
Expanding on the screening process, Jadhav said that women aged 30 to 65 years are examined for cervical cancer once every five years using the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) method—a naked-eye screening technique using a weak acetic acid—at public health facilities by trained health workers. Women who test positive are referred for further diagnostic procedures.