IVA Test Effective To Detect Cervical Cancer

Early detection of cervical cancer can be done in various ways. One way that has been popularly used is the Pap smear. This is considered the most effective way to detect until the pre-cancerous cells.

Unfortunately, Pap smear method is quite expensive relative to encompass all walks of life. Until now, the method Visual Inspection Acetic Acid (VIA) is predicted by many to be a relatively inexpensive method, but still can accurately detecting cervical cancer.

One of the parties that recommend tests VIA is the Indonesian Cancer Foundation (ICF). ICF Chairman Nila Center Moeloek said,VIA test is cheaper than the Pap smear. If the Pap smear test cost up to Rp 50,000, VIA test only between Rp 2,000 to Rp 5,000.

VIA test accuracy is almost the same as the Pap smear test. In fact, VIA test can detect pre-cancerous cells. Pre-cancerous cells are cells that have become cancerous cells but likely to become cancer cells.

"Indeed there is no method that is 100 percent accurate, but the VIA test was able to achieve 70 percent accuracy.'s Certainly better than not enough at all," Nila said in a press conference on Tuesday (14/05/2013) in Jakarta.

According to obstetrician dr. Laila Nuranna, Sp.OG of Faculty of medicine / RSCM, decrease the accuracy of the VIA test because health workers were analyzing results of the test have not been adequately trained.

"White spots on a positive test result could mean, could mean no. Then to be able to analyze it properly, health workers have to keep practicing," said Laila.

To compare the accuracy VIA test and Pap smear, Chairman of the Jakarta Health Agency Dien Emawati presents the results of the examination in 2012 to 50 902 women. The participants perform two methods of examination.

The result after a positive 3.2 per cent of participants in the VIA test. While the Pap smear test as much as 3.64 percent of the participants had positive results.