Cervical Cancer Screening
The goal of screening for cervical cancer is to find precancerous cervical cell changes, when treatment can prevent cervical cancer from developing. Sometimes, cancer is found during cervical screening. Cervical cancer found at an early stage is usually easier to treat. Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is a simple, inexpensive test with moderate sensitivity and specificity for screening that can be combined with simple treatment procedures for early cervical lesions. Treatment for precancerous abnormalities or very early cervical cancer may include loop excision, cone biopsy or laser. These are all methods for removing the abnormal cells. Treatment for cervical cancer (early stage or localised) may include surgery, or a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
