Carcinoma of the cervix is the second most common form of cancer in women in the United States. From the standpoint of public health cancer control, it is recognized that, if carcinoma in situ could be detected in as many women as possible, the development of frank cancer would, in all probability, be prevented. In addition, if cancer were detected while still confined to the cervix, the cure rate would be markedly improved. If we are to attain the objective of early diagnosis and effective therapy, screening techniques for cancer control must be developed that can be applied to large groups of the population.1
With these views in mind, and in an effort to parallel the breast self-examination program, methods of obtaining vaginal secretions by the patient herself were developed. Such methods comply with Erickson's2 criteria and can be performed with a minimum expenditure of professional time. It