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Cervical Cancer Terms 

Acetic Acid

A vinegar solution that is applied to cervical tissue to make identification of abnormal tissue easier. The acetic acid interacts with diseased cells, causing epithelial lesions to turn white.

 

Cryotherapy

Method of outpatient treatment that uses low temperatures (-60° to -90° C) to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. Most commonly, a compressed gas (liquid carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide) is used as the coolant.

 

Safety, Acceptability, Feasibility, and Effectiveness (SAFE)

The four areas that are measured in the cervical cancer prevention projects.

 

Test and Treat

Phrase used to specify the use of visual inspection with acetic acid as a testing method and cryotherapy as the method of treatment, being used in conjunction with each other.

 

Visual Inspection

Naked eye visualization of cervix used to detect abnormal (precancerous) cells.

 

Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA)

Naked eye visualization of the acetic acid-washed cervix (using dilute 3-5% acetic acid) to detect abnormal (precancerous) cells.

 

Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Magnification (VIAM)

Acetic acid-washed cervix examined with low-power (2-6) magnification to detect abnormal (precancerous) cells.

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