MedifocusHealth

The purpose of cervical cancer screening is the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of precancerous (preferably) or cancerous lesions. Detection of cervical cancer at its earliest stages is lifesaving, as survival of cervical cancer depends heavily on the stage at the time of diagnosis. U.S. cervical cancer incidence rates decreased by 75% and mortality by 74% following the introduction of cervical cytology screening in 1949. Fifty percent of cervical cancers are diagnosed in women who have never been screened and another 10% have not been screened within the previous 5 years.

Cytology screening is performed via the Papanicolaou smear, commonly referred to as the "Pap test", which can detect abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have a chance to become cancerous. The test is performed by obtaining a sample of cells from the cervix using a small spatula or small conical-shaped brush called a cytobrush.

The appearance of normal cervical cells varies with the functional status of the cervix. Premenopausal women, postmenopausal women, and pregnant or postpartum women have different normal Pap tests. The phases of the menstrual cycle also affect the results as can oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and the presence of viral, bacterial, fungal or other infections.

Therefore, having an abnormal Pap test does not always mean that there is an increased risk of cancer. The more severe the abnormality, the more likely it is that cervical cancer could develop in the future. If the Pap test is abnormal, your provider will suggest either repeating the test, or may recommend other tests to determine the cause of the abnormal findings.

Today, an estimated 50 million Pap tests are performed annually in the United States alone. As a result, 2-3 million women are diagnosed with atypical squamous cells, 1.25 million with low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 300,000 with high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and >10,000 with cervical cancer.