COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF POPULATION SCREENING AND RESCREENING FOR CERVICAL-CANCER IN THE NETHERLANDS

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (5) , 539-542
Abstract
In a screening program for cervical cancer held in the western part of the Netherlands in 1978, it was shown that the incidence of positive cases dropped from 8.0.permill. to 1.4.permill. when repeat screening was performed within 2 yr; the incidence of mild dysplasia remained the same (13.0.permill.). Of the allocated funds 40% were used for canvassing. Recanvassing of the no-response group did not result in the finding of positive cases. Of the 10 positive cases in the re-screened group, 4 had had inadequate negative smears previously, and 2 had had adequate negative smears; in 2 cases the previous smears were reclassified as dysplasias, and in the 2 remaining cases endocervical carcinoma cells were found in the additional endocervical smear. In light of the high canvassing costs of population screening and the low detection rate of positive cases in the re-screened group, it appears overly costly to repeat population screening within 2 yr.