Use of mammography and Pap smear in Estonia, a country without organized cancer screening.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze mammography and Pap smear status in Estonia where no organized population-based cancer screening is available.


METHODS
5000 individuals (aged 16-64) were randomly chosen from the national population register; among them, 1755 women filled out postal questionnaires.


RESULTS
50% of respondents aged 45-64 reported having taken a mammogram, 51% of women aged 25-64 had the Pap smear at least once in their lifetime. Corresponding figures for the past two years were 37% and 30%. Irrespective of age, women taking fewer tests over the past two years were rural workers, unemployed, and health behavior recommendations ignorers. In most cases, initiative for mammogram came from women, and from the physician in the case of Pap smear. Moderate increase in mammography use occurred after a project for early detection of breast cancer was launched.


CONCLUSIONS
Women must continuously be informed that early detection of breast and cervical cancer is possible. Young women should be encouraged to ask for Pap testing. Knowledge of family physicians should be improved.
Tekkel
Mare
M
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute for Health Development, Hiiu 42, 11619, Tallinn, Estonia. mare.tekkel@tai.ee
Veideman
Tatjana
T
Baburin
Aleksei
A
Rahu
Mati
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004957:Estonia; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult