National screening programs for cervical cancer in Asian countries

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cervical cancer remains a significant health burden for women in Asia, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.
• National screening programs are increasingly available across Asian countries to combat this disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and compare the National Cancer Screening Programs (NCSP) for cervical cancer in six Asian countries.
• To identify variations in screening methods, age eligibility, screening intervals, and uptake rates.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of NCSP policies and implementation in China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, and Thailand.
• Review of screening modalities, including cytology and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA).
• Examination of program initiation dates, age ranges, screening frequencies, and reported uptake rates.

Main Results:

• NCSP were established between 1962 (Japan) and 2014 (Indonesia).
• Cytology is the primary screening method, except in India and Indonesia where VIA with a 'see and treat' approach is prevalent.
• Screening ages range from 18 (China) to 30 (Thailand), with intervals of 2 or 3 years. Uptake rates varied widely (5.0%-59.7%).

Conclusions:

• Significant heterogeneity exists in the implementation of cervical cancer screening programs across Asian countries.
• Low uptake rates highlight the need for enhanced public promotion and engagement strategies to improve participation in NCSP.
• Continued efforts to promote NCSP are essential for reducing the burden of cervical cancer in Asia.