In this case series, Burdier and colleagues describe the contrasting progress of cervical cancer screening programmes in Bhutan, India, and Türkiye, drawing on presentations from the CHIC South Asia Symposium (New Delhi, 2022). India, despite national VIA-based guidelines since 2016, reports only 1.9% ever-screened coverage among women aged 30–49, constrained by infrastructure gaps and absent […]
Topic: 2. Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer screening programs – LMICs experience
Dr. Somesh Kumar’s presentation outlined Jhpiego’s experience introducing HPV testing and cervical cancer screening in LMICs, emphasizing policy, programmatic, and technological innovations. He framed efforts within WHO’s 2030 targets (90-70-90) and highlighted HPV testing as superior to VIA due to its accuracy and compatibility with self-sampling. Key innovations include decentralized services, task sharing, and integration […]
Global overview on available assays for screening and treatment options for cervical cancer
The presentation outlined WHO’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, aiming for an incidence below four per 100,000 women through 90-70-90 targets by 2030. It traced the evolution of WHO guidelines (2011–2021), emphasizing HPV DNA testing, ablative treatments (cryotherapy, thermal ablation), and simplified screen-and-treat algorithms. Distinctions for women living with HIV include earlier and more […]
Lessons learned from cervical cancer screening program: ROSE program – Malaysia
The ROSE program (Removing Obstacles to Cervical Screening) in Malaysia addresses persistently low Pap smear uptake despite decades of free screening. It introduces self-sampling HPV testing, laboratory processing, and mobile-based results to improve convenience and privacy. Barriers identified include stigma, limited awareness, poor clinic environments, and fragmented health sectors. Community engagement leverages local champions, religious […]
Cervical Cancer Screening Implementation in Turkey
Turkey transitioned in 2014 from Pap smear–based cervical cancer screening to a national HPV DNA–based program targeting women ≥30 years every five years. Dual sampling (HPV DNA plus reflex Pap smear) is analyzed centrally in a high-throughput mega-laboratory with real-time digital tracking and mobile result delivery. This centralized model increased screening coverage from
Cervical Cancer Screening Landscape – Q&A Session
The Q&A session focused on Turkey’s centralized HPV screening program and its cost-effectiveness. Dr. Gultekin explained that initial large tenders and early adoption allowed screening costs to drop below USD 5 per woman, with new validated national kits expected to reduce this further to under USD 1. Questions addressed management of equivocal results (retesting is […]
Cervical cancer screening in India
India, home to 1.4 billion people, faces a significant burden of cervical cancer, which ranks as the second most common cancer among women, with approximately 75,000 new cases annually. To address this, a national population-based screening program using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) was launched in 2018 under the Ayushman Bharat initiative, targeting women […]
Cervical cancer screening in Bangladesh
Cervical cancer screening in Bangladesh targets ever-married women aged 30–60 using VIA as the primary method due to its cost-effectiveness and simplicity. While Pap smear, liquid-based cytology, and HPV DNA testing exist, they remain limited by cost and infrastructure. The national program, initiated through government and UNFPA collaboration, has expanded to 570 centers with over […]
Cervical cancer screening in Nepal
Nepal’s cervical cancer screening program, initiated in 2010, is embedded in its basic health service package, ensuring free access through public health facilities. Despite this policy, service availability remains limited, with only about 12% of facilities offering screening, predominantly VIA tests, and national coverage estimated at just 5.4%. Key milestones include the introduction of guidelines, […]
Cervical cancer screening in Pakistan
Pakistan faces significant challenges in cervical cancer prevention, including the absence of a national cancer registry, limited screening services, and lack of HPV vaccine availability in the public sector. Current data are hospital-based, underestimating true incidence, with cervical cancer ranking as the third leading cause of female cancer deaths. Screening remains opportunistic and largely confined […]