Epidemiological evaluation of cervical cancer screening in Slovenia up to 1986

In 1986 invasive cervical cancer (CC) in Slovenia, with its incidence rate of 15/100.000, was still the sixth most common cancer in females. In the period 1977-1986 the incidence was stabilized. However, in the age group 60-64 the trend increased steeply (5.3%). The incidence of the intraepithelial form was stabilized after the year 1981, the rates were increasing in the age group 30-39 (3.3%) only. On average, the intraepithelial/invasive CC ratio in Slovenia was 1.2. The ratios differed by communes, however. In 35 of 60 communes they were under 1, the median value being 0.8 only. The mortality rates due to CC differed by regions too. Relatively high invasive CC incidence rates (25-36/100.000) accompanied by a low intraepithelial/invasive CC ratio, and relatively high mortality rates (9.7 and 10.5/100.000) were observed in the health region Maribor, and in the three coastal communes (Piran, Izola, Koper). An independent analysis in depth of Ljubljana region revealed a stabilization in the incidence (15/100.000) as well as in mortality (5.6/100.000) in the last decade too. A better organized screening program is needed in Slovenia. At least in the high-risk regions a systematic screening every three year after two negative smears for all sexually active women aged 27-55 years should be introduced and carried out.