title: Cervical screening in Hungary: why does the "English model" work but the "Hungarian model" does not?
abstract: A comparison has been made between the English practice and the "Hungarian model" of cervical screening. In England, until 1986, extensive opportunistic screening was the practice, but--as it had no effect on cervical cancer mortality--afterwards, the screening policy was changed to be strictly in line with international recommendations. On the other hand, in Hungary, the "old practice" has been petrified: gynaecologists are the "gatekeepers", a "gynaecological examination completed with smear-taking for cytology" makes up the screening strategy. Although in the frame of a National Public Health Programme all the prerequisites for nationwide organised screening have been provided, and an up-to-date screening strategy declared, 20-times as many smears are taken and analysed outside as inside the programme, and the efforts have had no impact on cervical cancer mortality. This is because "old habits die hard". There is an urgent need to reconsider the screening strategy, and to reorganise the cervical screening practice in Hungary.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kovács
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Döbrossy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Budai
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Boncz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cornides
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000639:trends*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000639:trends; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears