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Normal cervical cells in a Pap smear. In the conventional Pap smear, the collected cells are smeared on a microscope slide, and a fixative is applied. The slide is evaluated in a pathology lab to identify cellular abnormalities. Accuracy of conventional cytology report: [10] sensitivity: 55% to 88%; specificity: 71% to 94%
The Papanicolaou test (abbreviated as Pap test, also known as Pap smear (AE), [1] cervical smear (BE), cervical screening (BE), [2] or smear test (BE)) is a method of cervical screening used to detect potentially precancerous and cancerous processes in the cervix (opening of the uterus or womb) or, more rarely, anus (in both men and women). [3]
Depending on patient's age or Pap smear result, HPV testing may also be performed. Sexually transmitted infection screening - Depending on age and risk factors, clinicians may recommend gonorrhea or chlamydia testing at the time of the well-woman exam. This sample can be collected via a swab of the cervix or vagina.
Per the expert, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this—namely because how often women should get a pap smear depends on their age and gynecologic history.
Papanicolaou stain (also Papanicolaou's stain and Pap stain) is a multichromatic (multicolored) cytological staining technique developed by George Papanicolaou in 1942. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] The Papanicolaou stain is one of the most widely used stains in cytology , [ 1 ] where it is used to aid pathologists in making a diagnosis.
Pap tests have not been as effective in developing countries. [88] This is in part because many of these countries have an impoverished health care infrastructure, too few trained and skilled professionals to obtain and interpret Pap tests, uninformed women who get lost to follow-up, and a lengthy turn-around time to get results. [ 88 ]
The pelvic exam begins with a discussion as described above, and an explanation of the procedure. The patient is asked to put on an examination gown, get on the examination table, and lie on her back with her feet in footrests. [3] Sliding down toward the end of the table is the best position for the clinician to do a visual examination. [18]
Cervical cancer screening, such as the Papanicolaou test ("pap smear"), or examination of the cervix after applying acetic acid, can detect both early cancer and abnormal cells that may develop into cancer. [1] Screening allows for early treatment which results in better outcomes. [1]