Advances in Biological Research 5 (4): 226-232, 2011 ISSN 1992-0067 © IDOSI Publications, 2011 Corresponding Author: Krishnakumar Duraisamy, Shantha Biotechnics, Hyderabad, India. E-mail: krishnapharmacy@gmail.com. 226 Methods of Detecting Cervical Cancer Krishnakumar Duraisamy, K.S. Jaganathan and Jagathesh Chandra Bose Shantha Biotechnics, Hyderabad, India Abstract: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, with more than half a million new cases diagnosed in 2010. The disease disproportionately affects the poorest regions—more than 80% of cases are found in developing nations, mainly in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Cervical cancer is an important cause of early loss of life as it affects relatively young women. Important advances have taken place in the diagnosis and treatment of this cancer in recent years. Surgery or chemo radiotherapy can cure 80-95% of women with early stage disease (stages I and II) and 60% with stage III disease. An ideal screening test is one that is minimally invasive, easy to perform, acceptable to the subject, cost-effective and efficacious in diagnosing the disease process in its preinvasive or early invasive state when the disease process is more easily treatable and curable. A variety of screening tests have therefore been developed in an attempt to overcome the innate limitations of conventional cytology. Screening techniques for cervical cancer include Conventional exfoliative cervicovaginal cytology i.e. the cervical (Pap) smear, Fluid sampling techniques with automated thin layer preparation (liquid based cytology), Automated cervical screening techniques, Neuromedical systems, HPV testing, Polar probe, Laser induced fluorescence, Visual inspection of cervix after applying Lugol’s iodine (VILI) or acetic acid (VIA), Speculoscopy, Cervicography. The screening strategies mentioned above though applicable to the developed world may not be cost effective enough for widespread application in the third world countries. Currently, cervical cytology is widely regarded as the gold standard for cervical cancer screening in all developed countries. It is however not feasible to implement a systematic cytology based screening programme in a country like India. This is mainly due to severe restrictions on the availability of infrastructure, resources and funding. There is therefore a need to develop low cost screening strategies for cervical cancer. This will necessarily involve the use of a very simple technique that can be easily taught to and practiced by paramedical personnel in the rural areas. Such techniques will need to be cost effective while retaining adequate sensitivity and specificity to perform as practical screening techniques. Key words: Cervical Cancer HPV Pap Test Cytology INTRODUCTION between the columnar epithelium of the endocervix and Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of continuous metaplastic change. Since maximum cancer among women worldwide. The good news is that metaplastic activity occurs at puberty and first pregnancy 92% of the cases can be detected (Table 1) and treated if between 18-30 yrs of age, hence detected during active a woman undergoes regular pelvic exams and Pap tests sexual life. All women are at risk of developing the [1]. Many methods currently exist to detect cervical disease, but several factors can increase the risk. The cancer. Cancer of the uterine cervix is a leading cause of risk factors for cervical cancer are viral infections mortality and morbidity among women worldwide. In India (HPV, HIV, HSV), multiparity, early initiation of sexual cervical cancer is still the most common cancer and activity, multiple sex partners, smoking, low occupies the top rank among cancers in women in socioeconomic status, diet low in antioxidants, long term most developing countries, constituting 34% of all use of oral contraceptives and poor hygiene etc.Since women’s cancers. Most cervical cancers arise at the early detection predicts better prognosis, one of the most squamo-columnar junction and transformation zone effective ways of preventing and controlling cervical squamous epithelium of the ectocervix where there is