Prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions among women in community-based screening program using visual inspection with acetic acid in Metro Manila

Genalin Fabul Amparo; Carolyn Reyes Zalameda-castro; Michelle S Diwa-hernandez

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Prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions among women in community-based screening program using visual inspection with acetic acid in Metro Manila

Author: Genalin Fabul Amparo ^{1
,

2} ; Carolyn Reyes Zalameda-Castro ^{2
,

3} ; Michelle S. Diwa-Hernandez ⁴
Author Information

1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Manila, Philippines
2. Phillippine Society for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy Foundation, Inc., Manila, Philippines
3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
4. Department of Pathology, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Cervical punch biopsy; premalignant cervical lesion; visual inspection with acetic acid
From: Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2023;47(1):11-16
CountryPhilippines
Language:English
Abstract: Background:Cervical cancer remains a health-care burden in our country. Majority of women afflicted with this cancer are diagnosed in advanced stage. Several groups like the Philippine Society for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (PSCPC) have put forth efforts to decrease and eventually eliminate cervical cancer through improvement in level of awareness on the disease and community-based cervical cancer screening programs using visual inspection using acetic acid (VIA). Data on the prevalence of premalignant lesions using this screening method are limited in our country. Thus, the initiative of the society (PSCPC) to embark on this study.
Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions among women screened in community-based screening program using VIA in Metro Manila.
Methodology:A retrospective cross-sectional study with collection of data from medical records of cervical screening programs done by the PSCPC from March 2017 to December 2019 was done. VIA was done for screening. All VIA-positive women underwent colposcopy and those with abnormal findings had colposcopically guided cervical punch biopsy.
Results:A total of 1072 women were screened with a positivity rate of 14.6%. One hundred and fifty-six women were VIA positive and 79 of these women underwent colposcopically guided biopsy. Premalignant cervical lesions were seen in 21 women. The prevalence rate of premalignant cervical lesions in VIA-positive women was 13.5%. The prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions among all women screened was 2%. Risk factors associated with premalignant lesions were early coitarche and smoking.
Conclusion:The prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions among women who underwent community-based cervical cancer screening using VIA is lower compared to other studies at 2%.
Full text:OB 2.pdf