Cervical cancer screening in Porto Alegre, Brazil: alternative methods for detecting cancer precursors in a developing country.

<bold>Objective: </bold>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.<bold>Methods: </bold>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.<bold>Results: </bold>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%.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Visual inspection with acetic acid and iodine solution proved to be a reasonable method of screening for cervical cancer precursors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]