Vaginal Smears as an Aid in the Diagnosis of Early Carcinoma of the Cervix

Abstract

OF the 17,000 annual deaths in the United States from uterine cancer the large majority are caused by carcinoma of the cervix. It has been stated that only 11 per cent of cervical cancers reach the surgeon in the early stage, and 60 per cent are completely inoperable when treatment is begun.¹ There is still an average delay of seven months from the onset of symptoms to the institution of treatment. Efforts to educate physicians and the public to the vital importance of immediate diagnosis and treatment at the onset of abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge have been only partially . . .