Documentation sheet
Definition of indicator
Calculation (numerator, denominator)
Additional underlying concepts
Relevant dimensions (subgroups)
Preferred data sources
Rationale
Data availability, quality and periodicity
References
Work to do
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Cervical cancer screening Indicator is defined as the percentage of women (aged 20-64) that have undergone a cervical cancer screening test, measured as the coverage rate of cervical smear testing. Individuals are asked during a population survey if they have had a cervical cancer screening. These actions rather refer to the concept of preventive medicine: activities and interventions that focus on prevention and control of risk factors, prevention and early detection of disease. The use of preventive health care has been defined as that provided by professionals, as well as the use of specific devices and measures used or taken by individuals. The respondent is not required to produce any kind of proof that the screening was effectively performed. The statement of the respondent is thus used with all the subjectivity that may go with. |
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Calculation (numerator, denominator) Percentage of women aged 20-65 reporting to have had a cervical smear test (pap smear) within the last 3 years, derived from EHIS questions PA13 and PA.14: PA.13: Have you ever had a cervical smear test? Yes / No PA14. When was the last time you had a cervical smear test? Within the past 12 months / More than 1 year, but not more than 2 years / More than 2 years, but not more than 3 years / Not within the past 3 years. |
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Relevant dimensions (subgroups) Age, country, region, calendar year |
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Currently: national HIS In the future: EHIS |
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The cervical smear with cytopathological (Papanicolaou) examination has a proved screening efficiency. Cervix cancer screening guidelines have been published at the European level. Information collected in population surveys can be directly used by the public health decision makers in order to possibly adapt the organisation of the prevention/screening programmes. |
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Data availability, quality and periodicity - WHO-HFA and OECD databases : no data available - Eurostat: The Eurobarometer surveys carried out in 1996 and 2002 included a question on cancer screening (EB 186 Wave 59.0. Q.27: Over the last twelve months, which, if any, of the following tests have you had? Cervical smear test, that is pap smear). Eurobarometers are not the optimal source of information, because due to their small sample size, it is not possible to present reliable figures by gender and age. - For 2008 Eurostat provides information from the 2004 data collection from national health interview surveys. - National HIS: Only a few countries have included questions on cervix cancer screening in their national health surveys, with some problems of comparability between countries. - It is likely that there is a bias between the declaration of the respondent and the effective screening. One can expect however that such a bias will not vary much from one survey to the other and that it will thus be interesting to follow up trends of the coverage over time. - EHIS implemented 2007-2009. Data will thus be available in the coming years (and will be pooled by Eurostat). |
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- EHIS-questionnaire (version of 11/2006) - European Cancer Health Indicator Project, EUROCHIP - European Union Health Surveys Information Database, EUHSID |
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What the indicator is meant to measure. If not unambiguous, all acceptable alternatives are to be listed in numbered preference order. The final decision on preference order/numbering is to be made by ECHIM coregroup.
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How to calculate the indicator (method, numerator, denominator, etc), in the same preference order as above if more than one alternative.
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Why the indicator is measured the chosen way (prevalence, incidence, mortality, absolute numbers etc.)? Also reasons for the preferred definition and calculation details can be included here.
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Should the indicator be stratified by e.g. age, gender, socio-economic status and area
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The type of data source; in the same preference order as above (typically either register data or HIS/HES).
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Why is this indicator important, from the public health point of view. (For example: size or dynamics of the problem/issue, evidence of the relevance of the issue in public health terms (for determinants) or evidence of intervention effectiveness (for prevention or care issues)).
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The recommended data source (e.g. Eurostat, OECD, WHO, national registers or HIS/HES, project databases etc.), in the same preference order as above; some notes on the quality and availability of the data for the indicator. Eventually, also information on the availability in coutries, as derived from the ECHIM survey.
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References to original publications, websites, EHIS-question/naire, PHP projects, etc.
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What should be done to improve and complete this sheet. Eventually, this cell should be blank.
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