Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA)
Visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA) is a low-tech, low-cost method of cervical cancer screening. The procedure is simple. A healthcare provider applies 3-5% acetic acid (vinegar) to the cervix and looks for areas that change color. Normal cervical tissue is unaffected by the application of vinegar, but damaged tissue, such as the tissue in cervical pre-cancer, turns white with well demarcated boarders.
VIA can be done with nothing more than a flashlight, speculum, an ounce of vinegar, and cotton swabs. If a woman has abnormal results, she can be treated immediately with cryotherapy.
VIA has the potential to revolutionize cervical cancer prevention efforts in low resource settings because it eliminates the need for laboratories, does not require transportation of specimens, involves very little equipment and provides women with immediate test results. In addition, medical providers of all levels can perform this procedure – generalist physicians, OBGYNs, nurses and midwives.
Women can be screened for cervical cancer using nothing more than speculums, cotton swabs,
acetic acid (white vinegar) and a light with visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA).