[Frequency and function of the cytological examination of cervical smears: 1967-83 data from Geneva]

A case control study is carried out in Geneva with the purpose of estimating the efficacy of screening. Analysis of the collected data reveals: an increase in attendance to screening since 1968 except for a distinguishable inversion of this trend since 1982/1983; the importance of this test as a way of confirming diagnosis aside from its detection function.