Radiation Oncologist Dattatreyudu Nori Highlights HPV Vaccine's Potential to Eradicate Cervical Cancer in India

Indian-American radiation oncologist Dr Dattatreyudu Nori said the introduction of free HPV vaccination for girls gives India a decisive advantage in its fight against cervical cancer and could eliminate the disease within a few years. He noted that about 200 women die of cervical cancer each day in India and described the disease as preventable, detectable, treatable and curable.

Dr Nori praised recent reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the establishment of a National Cancer Institute, expansion of treatment facilities, financial assistance for patients and reduced prices for imported chemotherapy drugs. He expressed optimism that India will continue to make significant strides in cancer detection, prevention, screening and treatment. Nori, who moved to the United States about five decades ago and now leads a department at an Ivy League medical school, was named a Padma Bhushan awardee in medicine for 2026.