The pap smear and cervical cancer screening.

While the effectiveness of cervical cancer-screening programs is well accepted, further decreases in incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer may require a changing role for the family physician. Especially important will be the use of computerized call-recall systems to ensure that all eligible women are screened at least once, and that appropriate follow-up is made for those with positive test results. Since concern is growing over false negative results, it will also be important to ensure that the Pap smear is done adequately.