VIA screening for cervical cancer in developing countries: potential role of the light source

A total of 385 symptomatic patients presenting to the gynaecology and obstetrics outpatient department were screened by two sources of light: the yellow light of the tungsten bulb and the white light of the halogen bulb (100 Watt, 12 Volt), fitted with KODAK 80B filter and diffuser in an instrument called a 'Magnivisualizer' (developed by our Institute). Colposcopic examination was the gold standard for visualisation of the cervix. This study clearly brings out the significance of visual examination of the cervix using white light; as, in addition to having perfect correlation with colposcopy (0.86 for white vs 0.53 for yellow light), white light enables us to select the correct site of biopsy. Most of the rural clinics use torch or ordinary tungsten bulb, thus missing many significant lesions. In the light of our research findings, we strongly recommend the use of white light (complete spectrum of light) for screening purposes.