title: Variation in the duration of protection given by screening using the Pap test for cervical cancer.
abstract: The duration of protection offered by Pap screening for cervical cancer was examined using data on 101 cases of invasive cervical cancer and 396 controls from a Maryland case-control study. Receipt of a Pap test up to 4 years ago afforded significant protection, compared to women screened 11 or more years ago, or never screened. Smoking, intercourse before age 19, and a history of sexually transmitted disease were significant risk factors for cervical cancer; barrier contraception use was protective. Variation in protection from Pap screening was examined by age, race, age at first intercourse, barrier contraception use, and source of last Pap test (obstetrician-gynecologist vs other provider type). Results showed older women, women with earlier age of first intercourse, and non-users of barrier contraception received slightly less protection from Pap tests, while women who received their last Pap test from an obstetrician-gynecologist received significantly more protection than women who did not. Issues of quality of screening and follow-up are discussed in regard to these results.
authors: Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Klassen
authors: D D
authors: DD
authors: Celentano
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Brookmeyer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014626:Vaginal Smears