Simple Cervical Cancer Test Could Save 100,000 Women, Researchers Say

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Article Date: 20 Jan 2010 - 3:00 PDT

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Utilizing a "see and treat" approach to diagnosing cervical cancer in rural and developing countries could help doctors prevent 100,000 cervical cancer deaths annually, according to a study published Friday in the journal The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Reuters reports. British researchers said that visual inspection with acetic acid, which costs about $2 per test, could help decrease the estimated 300,000 cervical cancer deaths each year, 85% of which occur in developing countries where health service infrastructures typically are poor and the costs of screening and vaccination can be high.

The test "is an effective and affordable tool to screen women for pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix in under-resourced countries," lead researcher David McGregor of University College London said, adding, "Coupled with simple treatment measures, VIA could potentially reduce these cancer deaths by a third, which means nearly 100,000 women saved each year."

VIA involves applying a small dose of acetate acid solution to the cervix to detect pre-cancerous lesions. A positive result can be treated immediately, leading many experts to call it the "see and treat" approach. Experts say VIA can work well in small clinics that lack advanced equipment and in laboratories often found in developed nations. Many developing nations lack access to human papillomavirus vaccines and screening tests, which can cost $9. Certain strains of the sexually transmitted HPV can lead to cervical cancer.

Researchers said that past research has shown that VIA is accurate, acceptable to women and reduces cancer rates in rural and isolated communities. However, raising awareness about screening programs to ensure greater participation presents a challenge to many nations (Kelland, Reuters, 1/14).

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