title: Tracking of cervical cancer in 7,519 patients: a study of the prevalence of altered cytologies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcome and adherence of 535 patients with cytological changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study of 7519 smear tests harvested in 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 7,519 (100%) patients analyzed, 6,964 (92.6%) had cytology negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, 535 (7.1%) abnormalities in epithelial cells, and 20 (0.3%) were unsatisfactory. Of these 535 (100%) patients, 511 (95.5%) were referred to the outpatient clinic and colposcopic exam submitted and 24 (4.5%) did not return to the clinic. The group participated in the ambulatory visits, 302 (59.1%) underwent colposcopy-guided biopsy, and the remaining 209 (40.9%) examinations were negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cytological examination remains the method of choice for cervical cancer screening. It includes low costs, is effective, and well-accepted. Early diagnosis minimises the cost of research. Universities have an important role in the training of health professionals and also in the development of research.
authors.forename: C R de Souza Bezerra
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Sakano
authors.forename: J Chamorro Lascasas
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ribalta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zucchi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*