Exfoliative Cytology Laboratory Service in a Community Cancer Control Program

Abstract

A free exfoliative laboratory service was operated in Hawaii from 1949 to 1962 to demonstrate the value of cytologic technic in early detection and control of cancer. Private cytologic laboratory service is now provided in place of the discontinued free laboratory. That this technic encouraged the early detection of cancer was shown by the yearly increase in slides submitted on asymptomatic persons and in the number of cases of asymptomatic cancer detected. The service was of most value in detecting cancer of the female genital system.