What are the Latest Advances with Pap Smear?
Recently, new techniques have been developed to further improve cervical cancer cell sample collection and specimen quality. Hologic s ThinPrep System and MediSpectra, Inc. s LUMA Cervical Imaging System are two such new techniques that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While the conventional Pap smear is still an accurate method of detecting abnormalities or cancer, research has shown that these new techniques may be more effective at detecting cervical cancer and pre-cancerous conditions than the conventional Pap smear by: • making the patient s slide more representative of the patient s clinical condition • improving the preservation of the sample • standardizing the presentation of cells on the slide • reducing mucus, blood, or other debris that may eclipse pre-cancerous or cancerous cells A 1991 study of 600 laboratories found that up to 20% of Pap smear slides are unsatisfactory for evaluation and 40% are satisfactory but of limited value. Reasons
