[Evaluation of screening for uterine cervix cancer: from theory to practice (author's transl)]

In many regions, screening for cervical cancer activities by means of cytology have developed "on faith", without fulfilling sufficient quality criteria (identification--smear taking--staining--reading--nomenclature of ciagnosis--communication with the practitioner). Progress made in cytological diagnosis and better knowledge epidemiological data make, at present, such a situation inacceptable from the point of view of public health expenses, as well as for the population of women concerned. Thorough evaluation of this problem shows that inadequate programmes could be more harmful than useful. It is then indispensable to evaluate the needs, then to create technical structures of good quality, before starting any mass screening campaign.