Cervical Health for a Lifetime: Smartscope a New Armamentarium

Cervical cancer is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity in women. PAP test is commonly used for cervical cancer screening having low sensitivity and subjectivity, lack of permanent record and over estimation. Here, Smartscope visual screening test is compared with PAP test. This study aims to compare SS test with PAP and its management in resource limited countries.

A prospective observational study conducted at MKCG MCH OPD over 8 months. About 96 women in the age group 25–65 years underwent PAP and SS test. Screen positive on any one test were subjected to colposcopy and biopsy.

Out of 96 screened patients, 37 women were found PAP positive and 44 were tested positive through Smartscope (VIA and VILI), of which about 15 patients underwent thermal ablation and symptoms resolved in 13 of them. Out of 21 patients who underwent cervical biopsy showed a maximum of 58.6% as CIN I, 13.7% of CIN II with no case suggestive of advanced cancer. These patients were treated on the basis of SEE and TREAT approach and followed up.

SS test has greater potential as a primary screening test in low resource setting due to its better sensitivity and NPV as compared to PAP test.