[Role of cervical smear in the diagnosis of cervical cancer in Fes-Boulemane region of Morocco]

A retrospective study was conducted between 2000 and 2003 on 1620 women [mean age 39.6 years] in northern Morocco to determine the incidence of cervical cancer and assess the value of cervical smear in the diagnosis. Patients were interviewed using a questionnaire before carrying out a gynaecological examination and taking a cervical smear sample. Of the total sample, 23.1% had an abnormal cervical smear, of whom 5.6% showed intraepithelial lesions, both low and high grade. The women presenting with cervicitis represented the highest percentage with suspect smears [30.8%]; 90.9% of the smears showing high grade lesions were histologically confirmed as cervical cancer. A screening programme is a matter of urgency in northern Morocco