Some Local Sanitary Units (USL) of the Emilia-Romagna region were contacted to define cervical screening variables, such as adequacy of smear technique, data collection and evaluation, laboratory quality control modalities of invitations to screening. Our data show there are a lot of deficiencies in the present management of the cervical program in Romagna. The most serious inadequacies concern data evaluation, follow-up, cytologic quality control, modalities of active invitations of women to screening. The survey has confirmed the need for launching organized programs of cervical screening to promote their efficacy of diagnosis and therapy.