Carcinoma of the cervix -- a tragic disease in South Africa

Reports from several large gynaecological oncology units in South Africa reveal that most patients with carcinoma of the cervix present in an advanced stage of the disease when it is incurable. Mass Papanicolaou smear campaigns in other areas in the world have resulted in almost complete eradication of the disease, and it is suggested that invasive carcinoma of the cervix is preventable in most cases. It is considered that it is the responsibility of the State Health Department to institute mass Papanicolaou smear campaigns in South Africa for certain sections of the population who are at risk, and these have been defined. This would reduce the enormous cost of management of most of these cases in their advanced stages.