Smear Tests ‘Lower Cancer Incidence’

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32117, 13 October 1969, Page 3

Smear Tests ‘Lower Cancer Incidence’

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 12. The incidence of infiltrating cancer among women who had undergone cervical smear tests was one-seventh the rate of that among women who had not had this pelvic examination, Dr Ann Worth, pathologist at the British Columbia Cancer Institute, said yesterday.

I . Dr Worth, visiting New I Zealand for three weeks at I the invitation of the New I Zealand Cancer Society and the New Zealand Society of Cytology, said there would be a marked drop in infiltrating cancer if all women under-

went screening every two years.

She said a smear test could detect cancer in situ, which was thought to be a precursor of infiltrating cancer. “The earlier detection is made the better,” she said. “Cancer cells do not have the ability to hang on as well as normal cells. They break off and are carried away to other parts of the body and then you have infiltrating cancer." If cancer in situ was detected at this early stage it could be. removed before it began to spread. Dr Worth explained that people who got cancer of the cervix were those with an active sexual life. This type of cancer was more common in women who had their first baby early in life, who married early or who bad large families.

The time when a woman should have her first smear test varied with the individual.

Dr Worth emphasised that a cervical smear test was a painless, simple procedure and nothing to be afraid of. On the subject of oral contraceptives and cervical cancer, Dr Worth said there was no evidence that the “pill” caused cancer.

“Some people say this form of cancer is more common among women who are taking oral contraceptives,” she said. “In fact, the woman who is more likely to be predisposed to cervical cancer for reasons of a large family is likely to be on oral contraceptives for the same reason—-because she has enough children.”

Dr Worth said breast cancer was more prevalent among single women. It was interesting to note, she said, that Japanese and Eskimo women had a low rate of breast cancer. These women lactated and breast fed their children for long periods While in Wellington, Dr Worth discussed the Vancouver cervical smear programme with the Department of Health.

The department is working in conjunction with the New Zealand Cancer Society with a view to finding a similar programme satisfactory to New Zealand.