Cervical cancer screening in the Czech Republic

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Cervical cancer screening using the Papanicolaou method was established in the Czech Republic in 1947.
• Cervical cancer incidence was 32.3 cases/10(5) women in 1960.
• A 1966 law mandated yearly gynecological examinations and cervical cancer screening for all women, covered by insurance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the current cervical cancer screening program in the Czech Republic.
• To identify reasons for the lack of change in cervical cancer incidence despite high screening frequency.
• To advocate for the implementation of an organized, quality-controlled screening program.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of historical cervical cancer incidence data in the Czech Republic.
• Estimation of screening coverage rates among Czech women.
• Assessment of laboratory accreditation, national registries, and evaluation mechanisms for cervical screening.

Main Results:

• Cervical cancer incidence has remained unchanged for 34 years, despite high screening frequency.
• Estimated screening coverage is low, at most 50% of eligible women.
• Cytology laboratories lack accreditation, and there are no national registries or evaluation mechanisms for the screening process.

Conclusions:

• The current cervical cancer screening activities in the Czech Republic are largely ineffective.
• Low screening coverage and absence of quality control measures compromise program effectiveness.
• An organized, quality-controlled cervical cancer screening program is urgently required to improve protection for Czech women and optimize healthcare resource allocation.