The value of cervical screening in women over 50 years of age--time for a multicentre audit.
This study reviews the cervical smear history of women developing CIN aged over 50 years to consider if they might be discharged sooner from the cervical screening programme in Tayside Region. From the OCCURS database all women over 50 years who developed CIN between 1 Jan 1993 and 30 June 1996 were identified and their smear history obtained. Results show that had women been discharged from the screening programme at age 50 following three consecutive negative smears and a negative exit smear then only two women with CIN 3 and one with microinvasive disease would have been missed in the subsequent three and a half years. A wider geographical survey of the incidence of CIN in this older age group is needed to determine whether it is cost beneficial and cost effective to continue cervical screening beyond the age of 50 years.
McKenzie
C A
CA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee.
Duncan
I D
ID
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012606:Scotland; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000191:economics*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis*