Indian-American radiation oncologist Dr Dattatreyudu Nori, a 2026 Padma Bhushan awardee, has said that HPV vaccination could give India a decisive edge in its battle against cervical cancer — and potentially eliminate the disease within a few years. Speaking at an event in Washington on 28 July, Nori described the vaccine as a turning point in one of India's most pressing public health challenges.

The scale of the problem

Nori underscored the urgency of the issue, noting that approximately 200 women die of cervical cancer every day in India. He called this figure particularly distressing given that the disease is, in his words, entirely manageable. 'Cancer of the cervix is preventable, is detectable, is treatable and curable,' he said, stressing that every death from the condition represents a preventable loss.

Why HPV vaccination is a game-changer

The oncologist welcomed the Indian government's move to introduce free HPV vaccination for girls, calling it a substantial step toward strengthening national prevention efforts. 'Now, with the HPV vaccination, we have an upper hand, and in few years, we'll be able to eliminate cancer of the cervix from India,' Nori said. His remarks carry weight: Nori rose through the ranks of medicine and academia in the United States over the past 50 years to lead a department at an Ivy League medical school — a trajectory he described as uniquely possible in America.

Healthcare progress over the past decade

Nori also credited significant advances in India's healthcare infrastructure over the past 12 years, citing cancer prevention and treatment as areas of notable improvement. He pointed to the establishment of the National Cancer Institute — which he noted did not exist before — as a landmark development, along with the expansion of cancer and outpatient treatment centres across the country.

He added that the government had extended financial assistance to patients and reduced the cost of imported chemotherapy medicines, making treatment more accessible. 'So many other programs he's introduced in terms of cancer care. So I really commend him for his contributions,' Nori said, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Outlook for India's cancer care

Nori expressed broad optimism about the direction of India's oncology sector. 'I'm very optimistic that we will be making significant strides in cancer detection, prevention, screening, and treatment in India,' he said. The Padma Bhushan — India's third-highest civilian honour — was conferred on Nori in the field of medicine in 2026, with the government's Padma Awards portal listing him as an awardee from the United States. As India scales its HPV vaccination programme, experts like Nori argue the window to decisively reduce cervical cancer mortality has never been wider.