Open AccessThe current status of the Papanicolaou smear
Author(s) -
Shingleton Hugh M.,
Patrick Roman L.,
Johnston William W.,
Smith Robert A.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
ca: a cancer journal for clinicians
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 62.937
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1542-4863
pISSN - 0007-9235
DOI - 10.3322/canjclin.45.5.305
Subject(s) - papanicolaou stain , medicine , papanicolaou test , cervical cancer , cancer screening , cytopathology , medical physics , gynecology , cancer , cytology , pathology
Since its introduction as a screen for cervical cancer in the late 1940s, the Pap smear has become one of the most widely accepted screening procedures for cancer. Numerous scientific studies have now attested to its effectiveness. However, important issues related to the Pap smear, including cytologic nomenclature, accuracy, regulatory procedures, and screening guidelines, are still being evaluated and debated. This article provides an overview of important issues related to the Pap smear.