A method for the early diagnosis of carcinomas of the anogenital tract, preferably of the cervical carcinoma, and the preliminary stages thereof is described. The method is based on the determination of the methylation status of segments of the gene regions of ASTN1 (astrotactin 1) and ZNF671 (zinc finger protein 671, transcription factor). A DNA methylation in the promoter region or the 5′-region of these genes is indicative for carcinomas of the anogenital tract or severe preliminary stages thereof. The present invention also relates to kits which permit the conduction of the diagnostic method according to the invention.