An Evaluation of a Pap Smear Service in a Rural General Practice

Abstract

It is recognised that the cervical cytology (PAP) screening can play and important role in the prevention of morbidity and mortality due to cervical cancer. The PAP smear service provided at a rural Medical Benefit Fund practice in the Western Cape was evaluated based on the review of 205 smears taken over the period June 1987 to December 1990. High incidents of cytological abnormalities were found amoungst a predominantly 'Coloured' population. Despite covering less than 10% of female patients, the efficiency of the service in terms of follow-ups and intervention was high. Reasons are advanced for the need to direct screening at woman who do not receive PAP smears from the State clinics. This study reinforces the argument that there is an important role for opportunistic PAP screening by general practitioners for patients who would otherwise never receive adequate cytological screening. A call is made for State laboratory facilities to be made available for this purpose as part of a concerned preventative campaign against cervical cancer.