Karnataka has launched "The Karnataka Movement"

The Karnataka government has launched "The Karnataka Movement" to eliminate cervical cancer.

This initiative, officially named "Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination - CCE: The Karnataka Movement", aims to enhance vaccination, screening, and preventive care.

Key Highlights:

Focus Areas: The movement focuses on prevention, early detection, and treatment of cervical cancer.

Collaboration: The initiative is a joint effort involving the State Health Department, ECHO India, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists organizations, and several NGOs.

WHO Guidelines: The initiative aligns with the World Health Organization's (WHO) strategy for cervical cancer elimination. 

Vaccination and Screening: The movement prioritizes the immunization of young girls and aims to ensure widespread screening and early detection.

About cervical cancer Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

Causes and Risk Factors Caused by: Persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection.

Prevention Vaccination: HPV vaccine can prevent the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. 

Screening: Regular Pap (papanicolaou) smears and HPV tests can detect precancerous changes in the cervix.

Global Impact Statistics: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with around 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths in 2022.

Serum Institute Of India (SII), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.