Effect of population screening for carcinoma of the uterine cervix in Finland.

The organization of a nationwide population-based screening programme for cervical cancer in Finland is described. The annual incidence of invasive cervical cancer decreased from about 14 to 6 cases per 100,000 during the implementation of the programme. The time trends, age specificity and comparisons with other countries support the conclusion that the organized screening programme was effective in reducing the risk. However, there is no convincing evidence in support of expanding the overall programme to cover a wider age span than 30 to 60 yr or of screening the individual woman more frequently than once every 5 yr, even though these are the current recommendations.