Why is cancer becoming shockingly common among Indians in their 20s and 30s? Oncologists blame this virus

A growing number of cancer doctors in India are warning that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is quickly becoming a leading cause of cancer among young people in their twenties and thirties.

Doctors say that more and more cases of cervical, oral, and throat cancers are being seen in younger patients, and many of them are linked to HPV infection. Experts are now urging the government to treat this as a preventable health crisis that needs urgent action.

‘HPV Cancers Coming Earlier Than Ever’

Speaking to PTI, Dr Ashish Gupta, Chief of Medical Oncology at Amerix Cancer Hospital, New Delhi, said, “HPV-related cancers are striking far earlier than we used to see. Patients in their twenties are coming in with cervical, oral, and throat cancers, many of which could have been avoided with timely vaccination and awareness.”


He added, “The saddest part is, this is a preventable disease, but many people still don’t know the risk.”

HPV is one of the most common viruses passed on through intimate skin contact. While most HPV infections go away on their own, some types can stay in the body and cause cancer, especially cervical cancer in women, and throat and mouth cancers in both men and women.

Silent and Fast-Spreading

Doctors say the scary part is that these cancers often have no early symptoms. “A young woman with no pain or bleeding might already have signs of cervical cancer,” said Dr Shubham Garg, Senior Oncologist at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital. “Or a young man with HPV might not know anything is wrong until a tumour appears in the throat.”

Experts also say that social stigma around HPV, which is sexually transmitted, is stopping families from talking about it or taking the vaccine seriously.

Vaccination Is Key, But India Lags Behind

India does not yet have a national HPV vaccination programme for all teenagers. The vaccine is available in private clinics, but many people can’t afford it or don’t know about it.

Studies around the world have shown that giving the vaccine to both boys and girls before they become sexually active can stop the virus from spreading, and can hugely reduce cancer cases later in life.

Doctors are calling for urgent steps:

• HPV vaccination for all pre-teens across India
• Catch-up vaccines for older teens and young adults
• Free or low-cost screening at public hospitals
• Public awareness campaigns to remove the stigma

“Let’s Not Waste This Chance”

Dr Gupta said, “We must normalise HPV screenings like we do for diabetes or blood pressure. Pap smears, HPV DNA tests, and oral exams should be available in every district.”

He also stressed the need for better insurance coverage. “No one should skip a vaccine or test because of cost. These are preventable cancers. In oncology, we rarely get such a clear chance to stop a disease before it starts.”

Dr Rahul Bhargava from Fortis Hospital in Gurugram added, “Every child we vaccinate is one less person suffering from cancer in the future. Early screening can save lives. Prevention is not just better than cure here – it’s the only smart way forward.”

Inputs from PTI