Cervical Cancer: Formulation and Implementation of Govt of India Guidelines for Screening and Management

PURPOSE: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancers of women in India, despite being largely preventable. This review traces the journey of formulation of the Operational Guidelines for the management of common cancers and its implementation. METHODS: A literature review was done to document the process of formulation of the guidelines, in addition to inputs from the officials involved in the process of developing them. RESULTS: The review covers the pre-existing challenges in the National cancer control program and helps in providing recommendations for the future of cervical cancer screening, considering the COVID pandemic and the limitations of the public health system in India. CONCLUSION: The implementation of early diagnosis of cervical cancer on a national scale as envisaged in the Operational Guidelines for the management of common cancers is a herculean task. A concerted approach for the implementation of cervical cancer control and HPV vaccination will hopefully bring fruitful results going forward.