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Related Experiment Videos

Cervical smears: a questionable practice?

J S McCormick1

  • 1Department of Community Health, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.

Lancet (London, England)
|July 22, 1989
PubMed
Summary
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Cervical smear screening for cervical cancer is not justified. The harms of this screening method significantly outweigh any potential benefits, making it a costly contributor to poor health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cervical cancer screening using cervical smears is a widely implemented public health measure.
  • The efficacy and justification of widespread screening programs are subject to ongoing scientific evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the justification for cervical smear screening for carcinoma of the cervix.
  • To assess whether the benefits of cervical cancer screening outweigh its harms.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and critical analysis of existing literature on cervical cancer screening.
  • Evaluation of screening criteria, including efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and harm-benefit ratios.

Main Results:

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  • Cervical smear screening fails to meet established criteria for medical intervention justification.
  • The identified harms associated with cervical cancer screening substantially exceed the potential benefits.

    • Conclusions:

    • The current practice of cervical smear screening for carcinoma of the cervix is not scientifically or medically justified.
    • The screening program represents an expensive burden on healthcare systems and patient well-being due to a negative harm-benefit balance.