Role of Pap smear Study in Control of Cervical Cancer

Volume : VII, Issue : X, October - 2018

Dr. Amrta Tiwari, Dr. Sapna Singh

Background: Cancer of the cervix is the third most common cancer in women. In India and other developing countries cervical

cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Pap smear is an ideal screening and low cost effective test to detect

intraepithelial neoplasia especially in developing countries. Pap test not only plays a crucial role in detection of cervical cancer and

its precursor lesions, but also aids in the diagnosis of infective and inflammatory conditions including the identification of

causative organism, hormone related benign epithelial changes and changes due to therapeutic agents.

Objectives: This is a retrospective study aimed to evaluate all previously conducted cervical smears examined at a teaching

tertiary hospital during the two year period.

Methods: A complete clinical history and demographic status of the subjects was recorded. Conventional pap smears were

reported adopting Bethesda system.

Results: Out of 1216 cases majority of the cases were benign comprising Negative for intraepithelial neoplasia (NILM) of about

510 (41.90 %) cases followed by AGC 48 (03.94 %) cases and 4 (00.328%) cases of squamous cell carcinoma.

Conclusion: Pap smear testing is a very useful, simple, economical and safe tool to detect preinvasive cervical epithelial lesions.

Hence on a routine basis, every woman above the age of 30 must be subjected to cervical screening and this must be continued

even in post–menopausal period.