Pesquisa y control del cáncer cérvico-uterino en el Servicio de Salud de Valdivia (1993-2003) / Assessment of cervical cancer screening in the Health Service of Valdivia, Chile

ABSTRACT

Background: One of the best Public Health achievements in Chile has been the coverage of the program for detection and treatment or cervical cancer. Aim: To evaluate the results of the Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Valdivia Health Service (Southern Chile) between 1993 and 2003. Material and methods: Retrospective review of the number of women in whom a Papanicolau smear was obtained in the last three years. The incidence of the disease was calculated using pathological diagnoses of precursor or invasive lesions. Mortality for cervical cancer was calculated using data from death certificates. Results: During 2003, 79% of women age 25 to 64 years, and 77% of women aged 35 to 63 years (considered the highest risk group) were screened. We confirmed that the number of precursor lesions detected were increased along with the increasing screening coverage. The diagnosis of carcinoma in situ increased almost three times when compared with 1990 figures. Likewise, the diagnosis of early invasive cervical cancer behaved similarly. Mortality by cervical cancer also experienced a decrease, reaching 4.6 per 100.000 women over 15 years old in the Health Service of Valdivia. Conclusions: The sustained increase in cervical cancer screening coverage has had a favorable impact in the morbidity and mortality caused by the disease.