CHAPTER 6 Secondary prevention of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer continues to be the commonest cause of death among women in developing countries, largely due to the failure to initiate or sustain effective cytology-based screening programs. Experience from countries with successful screening programs indicates that target age and the extent of coverage of the target group are key indicators of success in reducing cervical cancer. Alternative methods for the secondary prevention of cervical cancer have been evaluated in numerous studies over the past 10 years in different countries. These include visual inspection with acetic acid and linking screening to treatment. Although longitudinal data are scanty, these alternative approaches have been shown to be feasible, acceptable, and effective in reducing cervical cancer.