How to Screen
VIA requires use of a speculum and light source, and a trained health-care provider. The provider performs a speculum examination, identifying the SCJ and carefully inspecting the cervix for visual signs suspicious for cancer or pre-cancer. A 3–5% acetic acid solution is liberally applied to the cervix with a large cotton swab. After removing the cotton swab, the provider waits for at least one minute, during which time any areas that became faintly white simply due to inflammation or physiological cell changes (metaplasia) will recede. Acetowhite changes on the cervix that do not recede after one minute are more likely to be associated with cervical pre-cancer or cancer. If these changes are seen in the transformation zone and
VIA requires use of a speculum and light source, and a trained health-care provider. The provider performs a speculum examination, identifying the SCJ and carefully inspecting the cervix for visual signs suspicious for cancer or pre-cancer. A 3–5% acetic acid solution is liberally applied to the cervix with a large cotton swab. After removing the cotton swab, the provider waits for at least one minute, during which time any areas that became faintly white simply due to inflammation or physiological cell changes (metaplasia) will recede. Acetowhite changes on the cervix that do not recede after one minute are more likely to be associated with cervical pre-cancer or cancer. If these changes are seen in the transformation zone and