Ani Alaverdyan, Adviser to the CEO of the Universal Health Insurance Fund on Screening Programs, presented the details of the screening programs included in the Universal Health Insurance package during an appearance on Kentron TV's "Luys Aravoti" program.
In particular, the UHI package now includes an HPV screening program for the prevention of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases among women, with oncogenic strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) accounting for more than 90% of cases. One of the key challenges of the disease is that it often develops without noticeable symptoms for many years, resulting in a large proportion of cases being diagnosed at advanced stages.
Alaverdyan also highlighted the situation in Armenia, noting that cervical cancer ranks fifth among malignant diseases affecting women and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women. On average, around 250 new cases are diagnosed each year, nearly half of which result in death. This underscores the critical importance of preventive screening and early detection in reducing the burden of the disease.
Speaking about prevention, Alaverdyan emphasized that regular screening is the most effective preventive measure. To this end, the Universal Health Insurance package includes HPV testing using the PCR method for women aged 30 to 60. The test is performed using high-quality assays recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ensuring a high level of diagnostic accuracy. When clinically indicated, the package also covers colposcopy, any necessary follow-up diagnostic examinations, and the full course of treatment. Sample collection can be performed either by a healthcare professional or through self-sampling. HPV self-sampling kits and testing services are available at primary healthcare facilities.
Alaverdyan stressed that a positive HPV test result does not mean a woman has cervical cancer. HPV is an extremely common virus, and most people become infected with it at some point during their lives. In the majority of cases, the body's immune system clears the virus naturally. However, certain high-risk HPV strains may persist and require ongoing medical follow-up to prevent potential complications.
A positive HPV test result serves as the basis for referral to a colposcopic examination, which is performed within the framework of the screening program by internationally trained and certified specialists. If necessary, a biopsy may also be performed. The UHI package covers the entire continuum of follow-up diagnostics and treatment.
As Alaverdyan emphasized, cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be effectively prevented through timely participation in screening programs. For this reason, taking part in preventive screening is a key component of cervical cancer prevention.