Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), the 'population-based screening' (PBS) protocol targets adults aged 30 years and above. For cervical cancer screening at Health and Wellness Centres, which is the primary recommended screening test?
- A Pap smear cytology every 3 years
- B HPV DNA testing every 5 years
- C Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) at 5-year intervals ✓
- D Liquid-based cytology (LBC) every 2 years
Explanation
India's NPCDCS / Ayushman Bharat HWC PBS protocol recommends VIA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid) as the primary cervical cancer screening method at the peripheral level because it is low-cost, requires no laboratory infrastructure, gives immediate results, and enables screen-and-treat approach in the same visit. The recommended screening interval under NPCDCS is 5 years for women aged 30–65 years. Pap smear and HPV DNA testing require laboratory infrastructure not universally available at sub-centre/HWC level. WHO's 2021 guidelines recommend HPV testing as the preferred cervical cancer screening method, and India is transitioning toward HPV-based screening in urban/high-capacity settings.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.