Utilization of obstetrician-gynecologists and prevention of cervical cancer

In a case-control study, we examined health care utilization histories to determine whether Papanicolaou tests provided by an obstetrician-gynecologist, as opposed to other providers, are more protective of cervical cancer. Women with cervical cancer were less likely than matched controls to have had regular Papanicolaou test within the last five years, or to have obtained a Papanicolaou test from an obstetrician-gynecologist. After controlling for traditional risk factors, we found that receiving any Papanicolaou tests within the last five years from an obstetrician-gynecologist was more protective than receiving Papanicolaou tests from other providers, although the difference did not attain statistical significance. Among both cases and controls, younger women and women who had used prescription contraceptives were more likely to have had a recent Papanicolaou test by an obstetrician-gynecologist. The results support the importance of regular Papanicolaou test screening among older women and suggest that the obstetrician-gynecologist helps prevent cervical cancer by providing continuity of screening services.