OBJECTIVE

To assess the role of a visual screening method in the prevention of cervical cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The authors studied the reported data on the pilot project «Prevention of cervical cancer in the Republic of Tajikistan» for the first 2 years (2016—2017) of the study among the 30-to-50-year-old women living in the districts of B. Gafurov and Kushoniyon. Visual screening covered 34 657 (89%) target group women living in the B. Gafurov District and 13 965 (56%) in the Kushoniyon District. Colposcopic examination was carried out in 1305 women in the B. Gafurov District and in 415 in the Kushoniyon district. To implement this project, a visual cervical assessment method using samples with a 3% acetic acid solution of and aqueous Lugol’s solution.

RESULTS

Compared with those who lived in the B. Gafurov District (n=62), the female residents of the Kushoniyon District (n=103) showed a greater proportion of CIN I, CIN II, CIN III, and cancer in situ, as well as Stage I—II cervical cancer. Thus, the detection rates of CIN I, CIN II, CIN III, and cancer in situ were 1.3, 1.4, 4, and 4 times higher, respectively. It should also be noted that the detection rate of cervical cancer (stages I—I) in the female residents of the Kushoniyon District was 2 times higher than in those of the B. Gafurov District. Electrosurgical excisional biopsy in 73 women revealed a visual image of benign changes and malignant lesions of the cervix.

CONCLUSION

The investigation findings suggest that visual screening method is an effective method for the timely and early detection of both precancerous conditions and various benign and malignant lesions of the cervix, especially in female residents of remote areas of the republic. In addition, the high specificity, sensitivity, and overall accuracy values of the visual method have been obtained.