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The screening, which tests for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) - the virus that causes cervical cancer - is offered by the NHS to all women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64.
Cervical cancer screening is a medical screening test designed to identify risk of cervical cancer. Cervical screening may involve looking for viral DNA, and/or to identify abnormal, potentially precancerous cells within the cervix as well as cells that have progressed to early stages of cervical cancer .
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]
The Bethesda system (TBS), officially called The Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical Cytology, is a system for reporting cervical or vaginal cytologic diagnoses, [1] used for reporting Pap smear results. It was introduced in 1988 [2] and revised in 1991, [3] 2001, [1] [4] [5] and 2014. [6]
Samantha Dixon, Chief Executive, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, sets the record straight on cervical screenings and interpreting your test results.
The two screening methods available are the Pap smear and testing for HPV. CIN is usually discovered by a screening test, the Pap smear. The purpose of this test is to detect potentially precancerous changes through random sampling of the transformation zone. Pap smear results may be reported using the Bethesda system (see above).
All cancer screening tests generate both false-positive and false-negative results, with a tendency to yield more false positives. [10] False-negative tests may provide a false sense of reassurance, possibly leading to a bad prognosis if the cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, despite the utilization of surgeries, therapies, and other treatments.
CervicalCheck is the national cervical screening programme. [14] It was launched in September 2008 as the public name of the National Cancer Screening Service. [15] In May 2008, then chief executive officer Tony O'Brien dismissed claims that misdiagnoses would result from the use of US-based lab Quest Diagnostics. [15]