Klin Onkol 2014; 27(Suppl 2): 79-86. DOI: 10.14735/amko20142S79.
Summary
Introduction: The nationwide Cervical Cancer Screening Programme in the Czech Republic was introduced in 2009. The aim of this article is to describe the results of this programme in the first few years after its transformation into a fully-fledged, organised programme. Material and Methods: During the first few years, a network of 37 accredited laboratories was stabilised, ensuring that examinations would be readily available across the Czech Republic. Although all women aged between 25 and 70 years fall within the target group of the current personalised invitation programme, women not in this age group are reimbursed for preventive screening examinations as well. The programme is equipped with an information support provided by the Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses of the Masaryk University, which runs the Cervical Cancer Screening Registry. Results: Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in the Czech Republic have seen a significant decrease over the last decade. By the end of 2013, more than 11 million examinations were reported to the registry by the accredited laboratories, and more than 15,000 serious cervical lesions were detected. Analysis of the data from the registry makes it possible to monitor the quality of individual laboratories and the effectiveness of the entire programme. Conclusion: The promising start of the programme provides a strong argument for its continuation. The programme has the potential to decrease cervical cancer incidence rates in the Czech Republic to values comparable with those reported by countries with advanced health care systems.
