title: Cervical cancer screening in Porto Alegre, Brazil: alternative methods for detecting cancer precursors in a developing country.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to test the performance characteristics of cervical cancer screening by visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid and iodine solution.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 100 women were screened for cervical cancer by Pap smear and naked eye inspection of the cervix after application of acetic acid and iodine solution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparing visual inspection to the Pap test, a sensitivity of 85.7%, specificity of 78.5%, and concordance of 79% (p < .0011) was established. Comparing the Pap test with colposcopy, the corresponding figures were 42.9%, 92.3%, and 66.6% (p < .077), respectively. Visual inspection compared to colposcopy showed corresponding figures of 100%, 7.7%, and 55.5% (p = .48), respectively. Colposcopy and biopsy had an agreement of 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visual inspection with acetic acid and iodine solution proved to be a reasonable method of screening for cervical cancer precursors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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