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The outcome of the cervical cancer screening in Storstrøm, West Zeeland and Bornholm counties in 1979-1989 was evaluated. About 6% of the screened women had at least one non-negative smear requiring further follow-up. 2% were women with positive smears. Only 3/4 of women with positive smears were followed up within the first three months after the positive smear. Late follow-up probably resulted in a few cases of invasive cervical cancer. The computerized pathology registration system permits automatic monitoring of women with positive smears, and it is suggested that these facilities should be used systematically.

We studied the use of Pap smears in three counties in Denmark, where the screening activity has been organized in different ways. The county of Storstrøm had an organized screening programme in 1979-82. Women aged 30-50 years were invited personally, and 91% participated. The same response rate is seen in the county of Bornholm today, where women aged 25-54 years are invited. No invitations are sent in the counties of Storstøm and Vestsjaelland today, and only 66%-69% of the 30-50 year old women are screened. The Danish National Board of Health recommends commencement of screening at the age of 23 years. However, 53%-57% of the women aged 15-22 years are screened in Storstrøm and Vestsjaelland counties today. The percentages of women screened in the older age groups are, on the other hand, low. Only 10%-17% of women aged 60-75 years were screened in 1985-89. The Danish National Board of Health recommends that women aged 23-75 years should be screened once every third year and that positive, atypical and unqualified smears should be followed-up. The county of Bornholm has an organized screening programme, but 21% of the Pap smears are nevertheless used outside the national recommendations. The county of Vestsjaelland has no organized screening programme and 42% of the Pap smear are used outside the national recommendations. It would be possible to screen a considerably higher percentage of the women aged 23-75 years if the screening activity was well organized.