Improving Cervical Cancer Screening Access
THE PROBLEM
Cervical cancer is the one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in low and middle income countries.
In Peru specifically, where our team has connections through the Biomedical Innovation for a Global Impact Program at Tulane University, there is a lack fo trained cytologists, fear surrounding the screening process, cultural divides between different types of medical workers, poor record keeping and patient tracking, and limited resources at local health posts.
The Need
Medical workers in low-resource communities in Amazonian Peru need an efficient, intuitive cervical cancer screening method to more effectively visualize the cervix to detect pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions.
Current Methods of Screening
Current screening methods include Pap smears, HPV DNA tests, and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA)
Studies have proven VIA to be the most cost effective and applicable screening method in low-resource setting
How does VIA work?
During a speculum exam, acetic acid is applied to the cervix used a cotton swab
VIA is used in adjunct with colposcopy
Diseased/abnormal cells contain enlarged nuclei, which reflect more light back to the colposcope and appear bright white
