Cancer detection in working women: a report on 7450 subjects.

A cancer detection programme for women was devised in 1964 by the writer, who attended an increasing number of work centres, mostly on an annual basis. During 12 years 7450 women were examined, some of them more than once. There were 237 abnormal Papanicolaou smears (in 112 of which the histological diagnosis was carcinoma or moderate to severe dysplasia), and 18 carcinomas of the breast. Education about cancer, teaching of breast self-examination and general counseling were also carried out. The high detection rate of cancer emphasizes the need for such services to be taken to the women at risk, and suggests that annual Papanicolaou smears are still the ideal.