本邦における子宮頸癌検診の歴史

History of cervical cancer examination in this country

子宮頸癌検診が一部の地域で行われてから半世紀が経った．その後全国に子宮頸癌検診は拡がり，国策として癌検診事業がスタートした．子宮頸部擦過細胞診による子宮頸癌検診は，子宮癌死亡率減少に対する有効性が証明されている．近年，子宮頸癌検診は新日母分類によってより一層の精度向上が図られている一方で，受診率低迷に悩まされている．その中で無料クーポン券の配布によって受診者数が増えたことは朗報である．今後も子宮頸癌検診の受診率の向上に向け，行政および諸関係団体による積極的な施策の実行が必要である．

Half a century has passed since cervical cancer examination was introduced in Japan.　In subsequent years, cervical cancer examination spread throughout the whole country, and cancer screening was launched as a national policy.　Cervical cancer examination by cervical cytology was proven to be effective in reducing uterine cancer mortality.　Recently, a new classification system for cervical cancer examination has been proposed in order to improve the accuracy of cervical cancer screening.　In spite of these measures, cervical cancer screening rates in Japan remain low.　Distribution of free coupons for cervical cancer screening has helped to increase the number of screening participants.　Administration and the practice of aggressive measures by many affiliates will be necessary in future to raise cervical cancer screening rates in the population.