Cervical cancer screening is used to find changes in the cells of the cervix that could lead to cancer. Screening includes cervical cytology (also called the Pap test or Pap smear), testing for human papillomavirus (HPV), or both. Most women should have cervical cancer screening on a regular basis.
What is cervical cytology screening?
INTRODUCTION. Cervical cancer screening detects precancerous changes of the cervix (eg, cervical dysplasia), often making treatment possible before cervical cancer develops. Screening uses human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, cervical cytology (Pap test), or a combination of the two tests (eg, “cotesting”).
What is smear cytology?
Cytology is the exam of a single cell type, as often found in fluid specimens. It’s mainly used to diagnose or screen for cancer. It’s also used to screen for fetal abnormalities, for pap smears, to diagnose infectious organisms, and in other screening and diagnostic areas.
How is cervical cytology performed?
The method consists of sampling cells from the cervix. A doctor or nurse inserts an instrument (a speculum) to open the woman’s vagina so that they can see the cervix. The sample of cells from the surface of the cervix is obtained using a small brush.
What is the difference between cytology and HPV testing?
The latest scientific evidence shows that screening for HPV is better than screening for abnormal cytology with a ‘smear’ test, so HPV testing is being rolled out nationally. The main disadvantage is that more women will test positive and be referred for further tests.
Is cytology a Pap smear?
For many years, cytology-based screening, known as the Pap test or Pap smear, was the only method of screening. Its use reduced cervical cancer incidence and deaths in countries where screening is common.
What is a cytology infection?
Cytology is the examination of cells from the body under a microscope. In a urine cytology exam, a doctor looks at cells collected from a urine specimen to see how they look and function. The test commonly checks for infection, inflammatory disease of the urinary tract, cancer, or precancerous conditions.
What is cytology test for?
Diagnosing diseases by looking at single cells and small clusters of cells is called cytology or cytopathology. It’s an important part of diagnosing some types of cancer.