title: Evaluation of German cancer screening by cross-sectional data.
abstract: Annual cervical cancer screening in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) has been free for about 93% of the female population over 29 years old since 1971 (since 1980--over 19 years). In 1978 for women aged 30 to 60 years the participation rate was 45%. Four-fifths of screening examinations are done by office-based gynaecologists, one-fifth by GPs. The evaluation of the limited cross sectional data base shows that the age-standardized risk for cervix cancer or CIS is two thirds less for women with a previous smear in the last year compared with those with a first smear. In a continuously screened population we see a 'comb-out-effect' with rising detection costs per case (between 1976 and 1979 from 26 360 to 33 010 DM in constant prices). This compels against a further annual screening frequency in the FRG.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears