QUALITY-CONTROL INDICATORS AND STANDARDS USED IN DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF PRECANCEROUS LESIONS OF THE UTERINE CERVIX

Abstract

Background. In Slovenia the high incidence of cervical cancer after 1990 is unacceptable knowing that the local passive screening programme efficiently decreased the incidence of cervical cancer in the 1970', and that at present a well branched network of gynecologists and cytologists is available.Methods. The analysis of measures and actual situation in developed countries, national studies, analyses and numerous evidence-based conclusions published in Slovenia and worldwide, have resulted in the set of most probable causes of the increased incidence of cervical cancer in Slovenia.Conclusions. Some most relevant measures for decreasing the occurrence of cervical cancer have been planned and some have also been undertaken. The planned goals could be realized in a 5- to 8-year period, under certain conditions: if examination of the Slovene female population strictly following the criteria for efficient active screening is guaranteed, and if most relevant diagnostic procedures in the fields of gynecology and cytology are improved according to the prepared protocols and recommendations.

Keywords

• quality-control
• colposcopy
• cytology
• screening
• cervical cancer