Résumé :
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[BDSP. Notice produite par INIST-CNRS fqgJwR0x. Diffusion soumise à autorisation]. Background : We investigated the effect of Pap smear screening on the incidence of invasive cancer of the cervix in the Western Cape, South Africa where screening is limited. Methods : Data were derived from a case-control study of the association of hormonal contraceptives and invasive cervical cancer. Incident cases (n=524) of invasive cervical cancer who presented at two tertiary hospitals and controls (n=1540) series matched for age, race, and place of residence were interviewed. Information on a wide range of variables was collected including whether the women had previously had a Pap smear taken and the number and timing of smears. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI were calculated using multiple logistic regression. Results : The OR of cervical cancer was reduced among women who had ever had a smear (OR=0.3,95% CI : 0.3-0.4). The OR declined with increasing number of smears to 0.2 for>=3 smears (trend P=0.0003), Among women who had a smear=15 years previously the women remained at reduced risk (OR=0.5). Conclusion : The data suggest that even limited Pap smear screening reduces the risk of cervical cancer. Should a screening programme be successfully implemented, the incidence of cervical cancer might be reduced by as much as 70%.
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