Abstract

PIP: Cervical cytology screening was carried out among 652 low-income Jamaican women. The investigation was intended as a pilot survey aimed at defining a high-risk population in a developing country with a high incidence of cervical cancer. A high percentage of the women participated in the program. The prevalence of preclinical carcinoma was 18/1000, much higher than in North America and Europe but similar to the Cayman Islands and Barbados. These results were compared with those from a cytology screening of women who were practicing family planning. The prevalence of preclinical carcinoma among the family planning women was one third that of the general population - 5.7/1000. The variance seemed to be related to differences in socioeconomic factors as the women were similar in race and age. The conclusion is drawn that effective control of clinical carcinoma of the cervix in Jamaica may best be achieved by defining and screening other high-risk areas within the general population.