Screening for cervical cancer.

Abstract

As part of a continuing series on how the work of pathology laboratories contributes to patient care, this article looks at the Papanicolaou (Pap) or cervical smear test, which involves the microscopical examination of cells recovered by scraping the surface of the cervix. The incidence, causes and aetiology are described and the organisation of cervical screening is shown. Finally, the range of findings from a positive smear test is explained.