Authors' objectives:

The prevention of gynaecologic cancer, especially breast and uterine cervix cancer, is a top priority in women's health, since death due to these processes can be, to a large extent, avoided. The objective of this study is to analyse the current situation of early detection programmes for breast and uterine neck cancer in Spain, as well as learn about the use of mammography and Papanicolaou's test in Spanish women aged 40-70.

Authors' recommendations: All Autonomous Communities (AC) have well established population screening programmes for early detection of breast cancer, which include carrying out a mammography, and some have already covered all the women in the target population. The early detection programmes for cervix cancer are established to a larger or lesser extent in certain AC and perform Papanicolaous test. Most are opportunistic screening and usually include primary care equipment for their development. More than half of Spanish women aged 40 to 70 had had at least one mammography in the last two years, and in most cases they had done it for preventive reasons. Women aged 51 to 60 are the women who, with more frequency, had received the mammogram. Likewise, just over half the women had had a Papanicolaou cytology in the last three years, and in most cases it was also for preventive reasons. More young women then older women have the cytology done. We believe it would be interesting to learn about the factors related to the use of mammography and Papanicolaous test in Spain.

Authors' methods: Survey, Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.isciii.es/aets

Year Published: 2001

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Spain

Organisation Name: Agencia de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias

Contact Address: Instituto de Salud "Carlos III", Calle Sinesio Delgado 6, Pabellon 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain. Tel: +34 9 1 822 2005; Fax: +34 9 1 387 7841;

Contact Name: Luis M. Sánchez Gómez

Contact Email: luism.sanchez@isciii.es

Copyright: Agencia de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias (AETS)