[Cytodiagnosis of cervical neoplastic lesions in perspective]

An attempt is made to put the cytodiagnosis of cervical neoplastic lesions into perspective. It is assumed that in an ideal situation every sexually active woman would have a smear taken at annual intervals. According to this 6 million smears would have to be taken in South Africa at a cost of R32 800 000 for the laboratory procedures alone. It will require 300 clerks, 300 technical assistants, 1200 cytotechnologists and 300 cytopathologists to accomplish this mammoth task. Less than 10 cytopathologists and 133 trained cytotechnologists are available in South Africa. The role of the Department of Health and Welfare is depicted and an appeal is made to the private sector for a larger input.