Cervical cancer is still a major health concern in India as well as globally. According to data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2022, it is the fourth most frequent cancer among women globally, with an anticipated 660,000 new cases and 350,000 fatalities. According to the WHO report, low- and middle-income countries have the greatest incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer, which places a heavy cost on public health in nations like India.
According to data released by the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), one woman in India loses her life to cervical cancer every eight minutes. According to ICMR data, cervical cancer accounts for 22.86 per cent of all cancer cases in women, making it the second most frequent cancer in India. Early detection is essential to properly combating this. However, getting timely and accurate screening remains a major obstacle, especially in underprivileged communities and remote areas.
This issue is addressed by Periwinkle Technologies' Smart Scope® CX, which is portable and simple to use, allowing medical professionals to do comprehensive cervical exams even in the most remote areas without the need for specialised training or substantial infrastructure. The artificial intelligence features of the gadget improve diagnostic precision and offer instantaneous visual results that facilitate rapid treatment and decision-making.
Based on data gathered from the company's fieldwork and users, it has screened over 350,000 women and identified abnormalities in over 5,000 cases since its launch in 2018. Through prompt detection and counselling, which have enabled early management and decreased the likelihood of illness progression, this has directly helped save lives. If not, these people's precancerous stage might have progressed to carcinoma-in-situ. Gynaecology clinics, public healthcare providers, private hospitals, non-governmental organisations, and corporate health initiatives have all widely adopted this screening technique.
However, Periwinkle's influence goes beyond a single patient. By facilitating widespread cervical health screenings, particularly for women from lower-income backgrounds who rely on public healthcare systems like health and wellness centres, the company hopes to increase health-seeking behaviour, particularly among women, by raising awareness and dispelling the myth that early screening can save lives and that cancer doesn't always have to be fatal. So far, Smart Scope® CX has already reached 20 Indian states and five other countries.
Image source: Bio voice news, ETI, Periwinkle tech