Strategies of cervical cancer prevention in cluj county, Romania

Since 2002, a cervical cancer screening program financed by the Ministry of Health and organised by the Oncological Institute of Cluj Napoca is ongoing in Cluj County, Romania. The program was based on the existing medical structures. During June 2002-August 2005, 29091 women were tested: 10.8% by family doctors, 17.6% by the mobile unit (abbr. MU) and 71.6% by gynaecologists. The coverage rate was 14.7%. Pathological smears represented 8.67%. Women tested by family doctors had the highest prevalence of displasia: 9.56%, based on more numerous CIN 1-3 lesions, compared to 9.2% by gynaecologists (higher prevalence of in situ and invasive carcinoma), and 5.97% by MU. This study population suggests that a higher participation of family doctors could have a considerable impact on the incidence of cervical cancer, by detecting the lesions of the cervix in early stages.