Pap smear results of Victorian teenagers, 1980-1987

Pap smears reported by the Victorian Cytology (Gynaecological) Service between 1980 and 1987 for teenagers show a profile of abnormality which is similar to that for women for all ages. More than 90% of the cytology report have consistently been reported as normal or showing minor benign abnormalities only. No evidence of an increasing rate of infection with human papillomavirus is apparent, with the infection rate as determined cytologically being constant at around 4% to 5% during 1981 to 1987. Some increase in the proportion of women having associated changes of CIN is apparent. No case of invasive cancer in teenagers has yet been confirmed. These data suggest that the teenagers in Victoria who are having Pap smears reported by the Victorian Cytology (Gynaecological) Service are not a high risk group for cervical cancer during their teenage years, but may be a high risk group during later years.