“Pain Points” of Cervical Screening: What Can Help?

Aim. To demonstrate the advantages of an innovative optical-electron method of cervical cancer screening. Key points. Despite all measures for early diagnosis and prevention of cervical cancer, the morbidity and mortality rates are still high, and there is a tendency to increase the incidence of this formidable pathology with visually located tumors. Since 1980 the optical-electronic method of cervical cancer screening has been officially registered. Since the beginning of the use of the device for diagnostic purposes, numerous international studies have been conducted, in which it has been proved that the sensitivity of the TruScreen optoelectronic cervical cancer screening is not inferior to that of liquid cytology, and in terms of specificity in some cases it even surpasses the routine screening method. TruScreen is only slightly inferior to human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in terms of sensitivity, while HPV tests show significantly lower results in terms of specificity due to the transient nature of the infection and, in some cases, self-cure. TruScreen reduces misdiagnoses of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and effectively predicts the absence of CIN in women with cervical transformation zone types II and III, thereby reducing the incidence of endocervical curettage. Conclusion. Optical-electronic technology should rightfully take its place in the diagnosis of precancerous and cancerous diseases of the cervix. The rapidity of response and painlessness of the method will make patients more committed to medical check-ups and preventive examinations. Optoelectronic technology can be indispensable in the absence of laboratory infrastructure. The mobility and ease of use will attract nurses and general practitioners to maximize the coverage of the female population with dispensary and preventive examinations. Keywords: cervical cancer, screening, optical-electronic technology.