title: Organization and evolution of organized cervical cytology screening in Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe phase 1 of an organized cytology screening project initiated in Thailand by the Ministry of Public Health and the National Health Security Office.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women aged 35-60 years were encouraged to undergo cervical screening in primary care units and hospitals through awareness programs. Papanicolaou smears were processed and reported at district or provincial cytology laboratories. Women with normal test results were advised to undergo repeat screening after 5 years, while those with precancerous and cancerous lesions were referred for colposcopy, biopsy, and treatment. Information on screening, referral, investigations, and therapy were logged in a computer database.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2005 and 2009, 69.2% of the 4030833 targeted women were screened. In all, 20991 women had inadequate smears; 27253 had low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions; 15706 had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions; and 2920 had invasive cancers. Information on the management of precancerous lesions was available for only 17.4% of women referred for colposcopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although follow-up data on women with positive test results were inadequately documented, the present findings indicate that provision of cytology services through the existing healthcare system is feasible.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Oncology Division, National Cancer Institute, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Thiravud
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Khuhaprema
authors.forename: Pattarawin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Attasara
authors.forename: Petcharin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Srivatanakul
authors.forename: Suleeporn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sangrajrang
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muwonge
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sauvaget
authors.forename: Rengaswamy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sankaranarayanan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D013785:Thailand; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*