Cytological history of cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed in France in 2006

Objective. - After a significant decrease of the incidence of invasive cervical cancer with the practice of cytologic screening, the numbers remain the same nowadays. To explain the reasons for that, we performed a survey of the cases of invasive cervical cancer observed in France in 2006. Material and method. - A questionnaire about screening practice was sent to every member of the French Society of Colposcopy (SFCPCV) to fill out for every invasive cancer diagnosed in 2006. Results. - Five hundred and twenty-four cases were collected: 2/3 of them never had a pap smear or were under screened. Indeed 27% had a labelled normal smear in the last three years. Discussion and conclusion. - As many others, this study shows that the first risk factor remains the lack of screening. But, 27% are false negative pap smears and it is even 45% under 45 years. The first thing to do is an organized mass screening but the increasing number of false negatives raises the question of the quality control of the cytology, or else to turn to a new test. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.