Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment
of Women in Far flung Communities

FPOP will provide cervical cancer screening to 120,000 women in far flung urban and rural communities using Single Visit Approach (SVA) through Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and Cryotherapy.

Worldwide and in the Philippines, cervical cancer, also known as cancer of the cervix, is the second leading cause of death among women. According to the Department of Health (DOH), at least 10 Filipino women died in 2005 from cervical cancer, which is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a common virus that affects men and women, and some types can cause cervical cancer or abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix that could turn into cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 95 percent of women in developing countries have never been screened. Cervical cancer is among the most preventable and treatable cancers.

The Single Visit Approach (SVA) utilizes screening through Visual Inspection (VIA) using acetic acid (vinegar) and treatment by Cryotherapy. VIA is done through the application of 3-5 percent acetic acid on the cervix and inspection with the naked eyes for precancerous lesions that appear white or create an acetowhite change.

If VIA shows abnormalities, the treatment through Cryotherapy will immediately be made available. Cryotherapy involves freezing the cervix, using either compressed carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide gas as the coolant. The aim is to destroy precancer lesions discovered during VIA. The client only needs to present herself to the service provider once for these two steps, thus, making the screening affordable to women who do not have the resources to frequent the service delivery center or mobile service providers who keep on moving from one area to another.

The Single Visit Approach (SVA) steps include: counseling; VIA; complete pelvic examination; and discussion of results with the woman. If VIA result turns out to be negative, a follow through after 5 years is advised. However, if the result is positive, Cryotheraphy is offered. If the woman agrees to undergo the treatment, voluntary consent is obtained from her, Cryotherapy is then administered and follow up instructions are provided.

According to a study by Georgetown University Lombardi Cancer Center, SVA is costlier than conducting VIA and making referral. The mortality rate, however, is reduced by 35 percent when immediate treatment is given.

FPOP’s Cervical Cancer Screening Program aims to reach the poor and underserved women in low resource setting communities. It aims to bridge the gap in preventive health care and contribute to saving the lives of Filipino women afflicted with cervical cancer.

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