[CLINICAL PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT METHODS FOR CERVICAL SCREENING]

Cervical cancer is a serious medical and social issue as it affects women at active age and it is diagnosed too late. In Bulgaria morbidity and mortality show continuous increasing trend. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical performance of cytology and other alternative methods for cervical screening that could be used to assess the the cervix.

This is a prospective study which included 317 patients aged between 18 and 65 years. Women were divided into four groups: I-st--cytology, Il-nd--visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), III-th--visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (VILI) and IV-th--spectrophotometric analysis with TruScreen®. The results showed that the most appropriate screening method for cervical cancer remains cytology. In the absence of cytological laboratory or cytopathologist spectrophotometric analysis with TruScreen® can be used for primary cervical screening. Its main advantages are that it is a real time technique, user easy and it is well accepted by women. If TruScreen is not available in the gynecologist's practice it is possible to perform visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA).