| Sub-title | |
| Authors | Roderick Busuttil BSc, MLS (Hons) M Dalmas MD, MSc Albert Cilia Vincenti MD, FRCPath |
| Abstract | The aim of this study was to determine the cervical cancer screening history and other characteristics of the invasive cervical cancer cases diagnosed in Malta between 1992 and 2002, from a review of their medical records. Only 5% of the cases reviewed had had regular cervical smears prior to the diagnosis of the invasive lesion. Mortality and incidence rates of invasive cervical cancer in the last 36 years in Malta maintained a steady trend, with minor fluctuations. Evaluation of these rates did not reveal any statistically significant changes in the incidence of (p=0.88), and mortality from (p=0.38), cervical cancer. Of the 50 files which had information regarding smear history, 44% (22/50) did not have any reported smears prior to the diagnosis of the invasive lesion, 46% (23/50) had rare smears (1 or 2 smears found) and only 10% (5/50) had regular smears (once every 3 years). In the 5 cases with regular smears, no pre-cancerous lesions were detected in the smears prior to the detection of the invasive lesion. Well organised national cancer screening programmes overseas indicate that if less than 70% of the target population (ages 20 to 65 for cervix) is regularly screened, the incidence and mortality will not decrease. In Malta, cervical screening is opportunistic and the percentage and sectors of the target population being screened is unknown. A national study is needed to quantify the number of women undergoing cervical screening and to assess how much of the relevant target population is being screened. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 18 Issue 03 |
| Pages | 15 - 20 |
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| Link to journal | |