## NPCDCS Cancer Screening Strategy **Key Point:** The NPCDCS prioritizes cervical cancer screening as the most common and preventable cancer in Indian women, with a focus on early detection through visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and Pap smear in resource-limited settings. ### Epidemiology in India Cervical cancer remains the **most common cancer among Indian women**, with an incidence of approximately 27 per 100,000 women. This high burden, combined with the preventable nature of the disease (HPV-related), makes it the primary focus of NPCDCS screening initiatives. ### NPCDCS Screening Recommendations | Cancer Type | Screening Method | Target Population | Priority | |---|---|---|---| | Cervical | VIA, Pap smear, HPV testing | Women 30–65 years | **High** | | Breast | Clinical breast examination, mammography | Women 40–49 years (high-risk) | Medium | | Colorectal | FOBT, colonoscopy | Adults 50+ years | Low | | Lung | Chest X-ray, CT | High-risk smokers | Low | **High-Yield:** The NPCDCS cervical cancer screening strategy uses a **three-tier approach**: 1. **Tier 1:** VIA at primary health centers (PHCs) — low-cost, high-sensitivity screening. 2. **Tier 2:** Colposcopy and biopsy at community health centers (CHCs) for VIA-positive cases. 3. **Tier 3:** Treatment (cryotherapy, loop electrosurgical excision procedure [LEEP], or hysterectomy) at district hospitals. ### Clinical Pearl The NPCDCS emphasizes **opportunistic screening** in resource-limited settings, integrating cervical cancer screening into maternal health and reproductive health programs to maximize reach and reduce costs. **Mnemonic:** **CVBL** — Cervical cancer is the **C**ommonest, **V**isual inspection is the screening tool, **B**ased on HPV, **L**ow-cost strategy in India.
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