Cervical cancer screening in a Johannesburg family planning centre

The results of cervical smears done on the first 15 000 women screened by the cytology laboratory established in the Johannesburg clinic of the Transvaal Family Planning Association in July 1972, are recorded. Analysis indicates a high cytological detection rate of severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ (20,2 per 1 000), and of microinvasion and frank invasion (1,8 per 1 000). The total positive pick-up rate was thus 22 per 1 000 women screened. Many potentially progressive atypias and mild-to-moderate dysplasias requiring cytological follow-up have also been disclosed. An analysis of the race, age and parity profiles of women in the positive group is recorded, and details of treatment and subsequent follow-up are noted. The results of this programme are compared with other published studies. It would appear that a family planning clinic population is an ideal target for anticipated mass screening programmes in this country.