Opportunistic Testing of Medically Underserved Women for Cervical Cancer in South Africa

Abstract

To determine the yield of opportunistic Pap smears taken in an unscreened and medically underserved population in the Transkei Region of South Africa. Cross-sectional study of 22,160 cervical cytology specimens from an unscreened population attending gynecologic outpatient clinics between January 1990 and December 1996. The overall prevalence of atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance (ASCUS), low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) was, respectively, 34.7%, 8.3% and 2.4%. The ASCUS: SIL ratio was 3:1. The prevalence of invasive squamous cell carcinoma was 1.6%. The yield of opportunistic Pap smears was 10.7% including only LSIL and HSIL. The pathologic process of precursor lesions of cervical cancer appears to start at an early age since > 20% of cases are diagnosed before the age of 30 years. In the absence of a national screening program, opportunistic testing of medically underserved women needs to be maintained and encouraged.