Members of the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines, or IMAP Iriga-Rinconada Chapter, headed by Ms. Bienvenida Oliva attended a two-day training on the use of Cerviray, a colposcope device used to magnify the appearance of the cervix to check for signs of cancerous or pre-cancerous tissues during VIA screening.
Visual inspection with acetic acid, or (VIA) is normally a naked-eye examination of the uterine cervix, after the application of 5% acetic acid and interpreting the result after one minute. The use of the Cerviray clearly aids identify and document lesions. Furthermore, the images taken from the Cerviray machine are sent for Automated Visual Evaluation.
Automated visual evaluation (AVE) is a machine-learning-based algorithm that assesses digital images of the cervix for signs of cancer or precancer. The algorithm evaluates a single image of the cervix and then gives either an AVE positive result indicating the presence of problematic lesions that are either indicative of cancer or that increase the likelihood of cancer developing in the near future, or an AVE negative, indicating a cervix that is not at increased risk for cancer.
The National Cancer Institute released a groundbreaking new study demonstrating the ability of an AI algorithm to detect cervical cancer or precancer in seconds, from a single image of the cervix. The automated visual evaluation algorithm holds the promise to permanently alter cervical cancer screening protocols.
In the study of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), automated visual evaluation, was able to detect signs of cancer or precancer with over 90% accuracy, a significantly higher rate of accuracy than the current Pap cytology test that is the standard of care around the world, whose accuracy was pegged on the same population at 71%. AVE even outperformed the interpretation of the same images by expert clinicians.
But AI can make mistakes. To minimize mistakes and enhance accuracy, the AI results plus images are referred to medical specialists trained in VIA to make their final reading, a process called “Remote reading, or Digital Tele-Cervicography”.
A total of nine midwives benefitted from the experience. The practicum was held at the Our Lady of Mediatrix Hospital . The didactics were delivered via ZOOM slated for January 30, 2023, whereas the practicum was held the next day.
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CerviQ would like to congratulate IMAP Iriga-Rinconada Chapter President Ms. Bienvenida Oliva and IMAP Iriga-Rinconada Chapter Officer Ms. Noemi Trinidad – Grimaldo for being the first two participants who completed the training and practicum requirements.