12 cancer screening tests India doctors recommend

2. Cervical cancer screening: VIA, Pap smear and HPV testing

Cervical cancer screening has clear options for different settings. Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is a low-cost method used in community screening drives and can be followed by immediate treatment in some programmes. Cytology (Pap smear) remains widely available in clinics and hospitals, and high-risk HPV DNA testing is increasingly recommended where affordable because it detects the virus that causes most cervical cancers (WHO, ICMR). Many programs recommend starting screening in the mid-20s to 30s depending on sexual history and risk; a common international pattern is Pap every three years or HPV testing every five years for average-risk women aged 30–65. In India, cost ranges vary: Pap smear ₹300–1,500 in private labs, HPV tests typically ₹2,000–6,000; VIA is often offered free or low-cost at public camps.