High levels of participation in cervical screening are reported in Canada from the 1970’s as a result of early uptake of the Pap smear and universal Medicare. Despite recommendations to the contrary, the programs have featured early age of initiation of screening and frequent screening intervals. Other countries have achieved successful outcomes without such features. We analyzed national data to better understand mortality and incidence trends, and their relationships to screening.

The background and preliminary results in terms of stage distribution are given for a trial of Clinical Breast Examination and the teaching of Breast Self-Examination in Cairo, Egypt. A stage shift towards early diagnosis appears to have been achieved. This has encouraged the development of similar projects in other middle income developing countries.