Ani Alaverdyan, Chief Executive Advisor for Screening Program Management at the Universal Health Insurance Foundation, presented the details of the cervical cancer screening program included in the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) package during the "I Am Healthy" program on Public Radio.
Under the UHI package, women aged 30–60 are eligible for HPV PCR testing, which is currently considered one of the most effective methods for preventing cervical cancer. According to Alaverdyan, unlike the previously widely used Pap test, which detects already altered cells, the PCR test identifies the virus before cellular changes develop. While the Pap test has a sensitivity of 60–80%, the PCR test exceeds 95%, significantly increasing the likelihood of detecting the virus at an early stage.
Another key advantage of the screening program is the option of self-sampling. Women can receive a self-sampling kit from a healthcare facility, accompanied by simple instructions, and collect the sample themselves. The effectiveness of the test remains the same regardless of whether the sample is collected by a healthcare professional or by the woman herself.
A positive HPV test result does not mean that a woman has cervical cancer. Instead, it indicates the need for a colposcopic examination, during which the cervix is examined under magnification. If necessary, a biopsy is performed by collecting a small tissue sample for histopathological examination. Based on the results, the appropriate follow-up or treatment plan is determined. If no abnormalities are detected, the HPV test is repeated after one year. If the repeat result is negative, the next routine screening is recommended five years later.
Alaverdyan noted that healthcare professionals performing colposcopy within the program have been trained by the International Federation for Cancer Prevention and Colposcopy (IFCPC) and have obtained international certification. Colposcopic examinations are carried out only by certified specialists in healthcare facilities that meet the required technical standards, ensuring high-quality services throughout the screening pathway.
She also emphasized that the screening process has been simplified as much as possible. Women can access the service without a referral by visiting their primary healthcare provider.
Referring to international best practices, Alaverdyan presented the World Health Organization's 90–70–90 strategy, under which 90% of girls should be vaccinated against HPV, 70% of women should participate in cervical cancer screening, and 90% of women diagnosed with the disease should receive timely treatment. According to Alaverdyan, the effectiveness of this approach has already been demonstrated internationally. For example, Australia, which introduced its HPV vaccination program in 2007, is now considered to have effectively eliminated cervical cancer as a public health problem. This status is achieved when the incidence falls below four cases per 100,000 women annually. In Armenia, the current incidence is approximately 17 cases per 100,000 women.
In conclusion, Alaverdyan noted that Armenia already has all the essential tools needed to prevent cervical cancer—including vaccination, screening, and treatment—and encouraged women to take advantage of these services rather than be guided by common misconceptions.