In 1980, malignant neoplasm was responsible for 9.5% of the deaths recorded in the country. Among women over 15, it was the second cause of proportional mortality surpassed only by circulatory diseases. Cervical cancer was a major cause, responsible for almost 10% of deaths in this group. International experience has demonstrated the effectiveness of early detection through vaginal cytopathology. A survey made in 1984, however, showed that Brazilian State Health Departments have developed this activity in only 7% of their basic network units - which covers less than 2% of the adult women population. INAMPS, the country's largest supplier of health and care services keeps no records of cytological examinations performed. Gynecological assistance is given to only 15% women over 15. It is necessary, therefore, to make an ample inter-institutional effort to overcome the country's rudimentary stage of cervical cancer control. The definition of common strategies for the utilization of existing resources and the insertion of early diagnosis activities in health assistance programs for women will certainly result in an expressive expansion of coverage and assure improvement of the levels of effectiveness and efficiency.
