Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening in a tertiary health care centre in central India- A study of one year.

Yogesh Pawde; R. Rai

Volume : V, Issue : III, March - 2016

Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening in a tertiary health care centre in central India- A study of one year.

Yogesh Pawde, R. Rai

Abstract :

Background: In India, cancer cervix is the most common cancer among females. Papanicolaou cytological (Pap) test helps in detecting the early epithelial abnormalities in cervical cells Material and Methods: Pap smears of female (n=80) who underwent voluntary Pap test as part of a screening programme, from January to December 2014 were evaluated. Pap smears were evaluated by light microscopy. The 2001 Bethesda system for reporting cervical cytology was used in evaluating the pap smears. Results: Their mean age was 41.3 � 5.6 years. Epithelial cell abnormality was noted in the Pap smear in 5 (6.3%) cases. Conclusion: Our observations provide supportive evidence for using Pap test as a tool for screening for cervical cancer. There is a need for enhancing the awareness among lay public regarding the utility of this test so that more women will avail this test and precancerous changes in cervix can be detected before they progress to frank malignancy.