Planning of a screening programme for cervical cancer in Liguria and evaluation of the attitude of the female population towards cancer detection.

In 1990 an investigation aimed at evaluating the possibility of organizing a regional screening programme for the early detection of cervical cancer was carried out in Liguria. Information on resources available for early detection of cervical cancer was obtained from 12 of 20 Public Health Units; a screening programme was feasible in 8 of them. The number of Pap tests examined was evaluated for 6 of 20 cytology laboratories. Only one laboratory examined more than 20,000 Pap tests in 1989 and, according to the international guidelines, can be a referring centre for screening. However, no information was available concerning inter- and intralaboratory quality control programmes. In the same period a population-based survey was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire in order to evaluate the attitudes of women towards cervical cancer prevention. A total of 1,454 of 4,197 women (35%) participated in the study. Younger, well educated women employed in non non-manual work were more likely to participate in the study. About 65% of the respondents had satisfactory practices with regards to the Pap test, suggesting a strong self-selection that probably resulted in a sample of women more health-conscious than the general population. In conclusion, our results suggest that major interventions should be carried out in the Public Health Units to direct resources to the needs of the population. In addition, new educational methods should be adopted to reach selected population groups to encourage them to have a Pap test performed on a regular basis.