The pap test learning module for healthcare providers has been endorsed by. Cotesting can be done with a conventional pap test but a second swab sample is needed. With liquidbased sampling, clinicians can run both tests off a single specimen. The thinprep pap test is a liquidbased cervical screening test that employs an alcohol based fluid transport medium to immediately preserve cells, allow for out of vial human papillomavirus testing, and allows for the automated slide processing which eliminates debris and distributes a representative portion of cells on a slide in a thin, even layer when required. Within the last decade, surepath and thinprep both liquidbased cytology lbc tests have replaced conventional cytology cc as primary test method in cervical cancer screening programs of multiple countries. Approximately what percentage of pap test results come back as normal. From a single specimen collected in the thinprep test vial, doctors can screen for cervical disease and hpv, as well as common sexually transmitted infections stis confidently and accurately. Analogies in the pap test of corn flakes and raisins. Thinprep versus the conventional papanicolaou test. Comparison of thinprep and surepath liquidbased cytology and.
This new test gives a new level of confidence in the reliability of your results. Regular pap tests are designed to find early cell changes in the cervix, before problems develop. Thinprep pap test specimen collection specimen collection is a key factor in obtaining adequate and representative samples for analysis. As with any laboratory test, both false negative and false positive results may occur. An abnormal pap test result means that the cells taken from your. Ask your health care provider to see which you are getting. Cytology a proprietary systemcytec, inc, in which specimens are obtained with a special fluid collection system and the slides for cytologic examination are spread in onecellthick layers.
A pap test can detect precancerous and cancerous cells in the vagina and cervix. Which of the following could increase your risk for cervical cancer. Thinprep pap test instructions for direct to vial specimen collection quick reference guide obtain an adequate sample from the transformation zone of the cervix using a cervical sampler broomlike device. Liquid media has replaced the conventional glass slide pap in most parts of the u. Cervical cancer screening with hpv test page 2 of 5 october 2009 dr. Hologic thinprep preservcyt solution material safety. Thinprep definition of thinprep by medical dictionary. These two specimens make up a pap smear and are put together into a liquid media thin prep, or can be placed on a glass slide and sprayed with a fixative. In the thinprep pap test, cell samples are collected using a special brush that is immediately. Insert the central bristles of the broom into the endocervical canal deep enough to allow the shorter bristles to fully contact the ectocervix. A pap test can identify abnormal cells and detect changes before cancer has fully developed. Specimen preparation is standardized, eliminating the inconsistency associated. Many women feel anxious or worried when they are told their pap test result is not completely normal. It tests for the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells on your cervix.
The pap test is a simple test used to check for abnormal changes to the cells of the cervix. Therefore, when collecting specimens, it is important to use appropriate devices and techniques, for example, avoiding the use of lubricants, or if they are used, using a carbomerfree lubricant sparingly. A modified pap test technique designed to reduce some of the technical problems inherent in the traditional type of pap smear in the traditional pap test, cell samples are obtained from the vagina, cervix, and cervical canal and spread on a glass slide. A pap test is a screening test that can also be a diagnostic test. Learn about the latest technology thinprep pap test. Have sex use tampons douche use vaginal lubrication. Gyenocologic pap test collection procedure medical. The pap test or pap smear is a screening test designed to detect signs of cervical cancer or cells that may turn into cancer cells in the future. The thinprep pap test is the first improvement to the pap smear in 50 years. Cervical cancer basic facts on screening and the pap test cdc.
If liquidbased cytology lbc is being used, screening can be extended to every 2 years. Test your knowledge on what you know about cervical disease, cervical cancer and hpv. Ensure the entire plastic seal is removed from the lid of the vial and discarded. Our implementation protocol included each cytotechnologist manually prescreening 200 negative slides to gain experience with the imager slides and serve as a quality check for the tis. In the traditional pap test, cell samples are obtained from the vagina, cervix, and cervical canal and spread on a glass slide. A pap smeartest is a test cervical cancer screening to find any changes in the cells of the cervix that could lead to cancer. Refer to hologics thinprep pap test quick reference guides, part no. Oct 26, 2012 during your pap test, a doctor takes a sample of cells from the cervix, which is then sent to a lab for examination. The thinprep process takes the patient sample and applies it onto the center of the slide in a thin, uniform layer.
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects the vagina with the main part of the uterus. Pap tests or pap smears look for cancers and precancers in the cervix. Pap smear george n papanicolaou introduced cervical cytology in clinical practice in 1940 in 1945, pap smear was endorsed by american cancer society as an effective method for prevention of cervical cancer many countries now have national cervical screening programs. Hologic released the first fdaapproved, liquidbased cytology option in cervical disease screening in 1996. The use of lubricants is not recommended during pap testing1. The thinprep pap test dsc clinic department of sti. Where the pap looks for wonky cells that are a red flag for potential cancer or precancer, an hpv test detects the genetic material of highrisk types of hpv, the virus that causes virtually all cases of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screening what your abnormal pap test means. A fluidbased, directtovial method of thinlayer gynecologic cytology thinprep pap test is reported to be more effective than the conventional papanicolaou test in the detection of squamous. It was introduced over 50 years ago and has been the single greatest contributor to the overall decline in cervical cancer. Cervical cancer basic facts on screening and the pap test what is cervical cancer. When these abnormal cells are present in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer, or cancer of the cervix. A modified pap test technique designed to reduce some of the technical problems inherent in the traditional type of pap smear. Therefore, when collecting specimens for thinprep pap testing, it is important to use appropriate devices and.
Dyke large spills with absorbent with an inert material e. Background the thinprep pap test tp, a liquidbased cervical cytology preparation, was approved for use in the u. An abnormal pap test means some of the cells of the cervix differ from normal cells. The thinprep pap test is the only liquidbased pap test fdaapprovedcleared for hpv, chlamydiagonorrhea and trichomonas testing out of the same vial. A pap smear, also called a pap test, is a screening procedure for cervical cancer. Pap and hpv tests fact sheet office on womens health. Comparison of thinprep and surepath liquidbased cytology. Screening should begin at the age of 21 or within 3 years of the onset of sexual activity and it can stop at the age of 70 years if there has been no abnormal pap test result in the past 10 years. A fluidbased, directtovial method of thinlayer gynecologic cytology thinprep pap test is reported to be more effective than the conventional papanicolaou test. Precancers are cell changes that can be caused by the human. The purpose of this study was to compare tp performance and. Office of population affairs pap test fact sheet u. During your pap test, a doctor takes a sample of cells from the cervix, which is then sent to a lab for examination.
Cervical cancer basic facts on screening and the pap test. The pap test is a valuable screening test for cervical cancer and its precursors. Comparing surepath, thinprep, and conventional cytology as. Aseptic control products pap test lubricating jellys. The procedure involves gently scraping cells from the cervix and then smearing and. Positive results should be confirmed with additional studies as clinically indicated. Your doctor will obtain cells from your cervix during your gynecologic examination in the usual manner. Research shows the thinprep pap test as more likely to detect highgrade abnormalities compared to the conventional pap smear. Not all problems need treatment, and those that do can be treated quite easily and usually very successfully.
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Thinprep pap test wisconsin state laboratory of hygiene. The thinprep pap test was the first liquidbased cytology option in cervical cancer screening. As the drawing shows, the cervix is the lower, narrower part of the uterus. Pap test fact sheet california state university, fullerton. Therefore, when collecting specimens, it is important to use appropriate devices and techniques, such as avoiding the use of lubricants, or if they are used, using them sparingly. A pap test, also called a pap smear, is an exam a doctor uses to test for cervical cancer in women.
The pap smear is a screening tool that looks for changes in the transformation zone of the cervix, which most often are caused by hpv. In the thinprep pap test, cell samples are collected using a special. The difference is in the way the cells are collected. Sep 17, 2018 a pap test, also called a pap smear, is an exam a doctor uses to test for cervical cancer in women. Oct 12, 2015 within the last decade, surepath and thinprep both liquidbased cytology lbc tests have replaced conventional cytology cc as primary test method in cervical cancer screening programs of multiple countries. They offer specialized expertise in both gyn and nongyn cytology, coupled with a full range of ancillary testing. Cervical cancer screening through cytological smear analysis, or thepap test, has been conducted in quebec and elsewhere in the world for more than40 years. Quick reference guide thinprep pap test plastic spatula and endocervical brush protocol prepare all equipment before starting the procedure.
Its primary purpose is to identify patients who have cellular changes that place them at risk for the development of cervical cancer. Insert the central bristles of the broom into the endocervical canal deep enough to allow the shorter bristles to fully contact the. Cell samples are placed directly on a glass slide and sent to the lab. Massad cotesting is testing for both highrisk, or oncogenic, human papillomavirus dna and for an abnormal pap.
In 2003, the first big shift in cervical cancer screening came as an hpv test came on the market. The pap test is a highly complex laboratory test requiring careful patient preparation, skill in clinical collection, highly skilled and. Push gently, and rotate the broom in a clockwise direction five times. A pap smear is a cytological test designed to detect abnormal cervical cells.
Thinprep pap testquick reference guide broomlike device protocol. It is important to remember that almost all abnormal pap test results are not due to cancer. Pap testquick reference guide broomlike device protocol title. Be in control of your own body and ask your doctornurse for a thinprep pap test today. Thinprep sample collection instructions specimen collection is a key factor in obtaining adequate and representative samples for analysis. New developments have made the test more efficient, but they are significantly more expensive.
Understanding abnormal pap tests thinprep pap test. Although the sensitivity was once thought to be as high as 89%,3 two recent metaanalyses impressively established the sensitivity of the conventional pap test to be less than 50%1, 3, 8, 9 and the specificity to be 98%. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the pap test. To make a pap test as accurate as possible, there are several things women are recommended to avoid. Thinprep preservcyt solution material safety data sheet msds avoid dispersal of spilled material, runoff and contact with soil, waterways, drains and sewers. Thinprep liquidbased pap testing thinprep liquidbased highrisk hpv and hpv 1618 testing thinprep liquidbased vaginitis testing trichomonas, candida, bacterial vaginosis. The tis was introduced in our hospital pathology laboratory in 2004.
If changes are found and treated early, up to 90 per cent of the most common cervical cancers may be prevented. The direct smear method has been used for a long time, and is relatively inexpensive. It can also reveal changes in your cervical cells that may turn into cancer later. If the sample is abnormal, your doctor may call you back for further testing. Thedevelopment of new sampling devices, slide preparation technolo. An expanding menu of molecularbased testing is offered, using stateof theart technology. Gyenocologic pap test collection procedure medical center.