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Indian Journal of Cancer 2011Due to the low sensitivity of Pap smear, premalignant lesions of the cervix can be missed in women with inflammatory Pap smears. However, it is not practically possible...
OBJECTIVE
Due to the low sensitivity of Pap smear, premalignant lesions of the cervix can be missed in women with inflammatory Pap smears. However, it is not practically possible to subject all women with inflammatory Pap smear to colposcopy. This study was carried out with the aim to evaluate whether women with persistent inflammation on Pap smear need further evaluation with colposcopy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Four hundred and twenty women were screened at a tertiary level hospital with Pap smear. Women with inflammation on Pap smear were given treatment as per WHO guidelines and Pap smear was repeated at an interval of 6-12 weeks. Women with persistent inflammation on Pap smear were then subjected to colposcopy and directed biopsy if required.
RESULTS
Of the 420 women screened, 102 (24.3%) women had a Pap smear showing inflammation. Thirty six women (8.6%) had persistent inflammatory Pap smear. Thirty women were subjected to colposcopy and 16 (53.3%) had abnormal findings on colposcopy. Five out of these 30 women (16.67%) had Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) on biopsy.
CONCLUSIONS
Nearly 16.67% women with persistent inflammation on Pap smear had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Hence, a large number of women with CIN would be missed if persistent inflammation on Pap smear is not evaluated further.
Topics: Adult; Colposcopy; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Papanicolaou Test; Prognosis; Vaginal Smears; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia
PubMed: 21768670
DOI: 10.4103/0019-509X.82901 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Mar 2020We examined the effectiveness of a health education program to improve; knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer and Pap smear, and uptake of Pap smear test among... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
We examined the effectiveness of a health education program to improve; knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer and Pap smear, and uptake of Pap smear test among female entrepreneurs in Kedah, a northern state of Malaysia.
METHODS
This controlled community trial involved 210 women from the districts of Alor Setar and Sungai Petani. Simple random sampling was applied to select 105 women from each district. Self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain information about the variables of interest. Health education intervention program included educational talk, demo video, experience sharing, pamphlet distribution, and text message reminders. Evaluation of outcomes was performed twice. The text message reminders acted as the cues to action that were sent between the two evaluation times at one-month interval. Women in the control group received educational talk alone. In the control group, evaluation of outcomes was done only once, which was one month after the educational talk.
RESULTS
Knowledge on cervical cancer and Pap smear, and attitude towards Pap smear among women in both intervention and control group improved significantly at Evaluation stage 1. However, no further improvements were observed in the intervention group at Evaluation stage 2. The uptake of Pap smear in the intervention group increased significantly from 48.0% at Baseline to 68.0% at Evaluation stage 1 (P<0.001), and from 68.0% to 79.0% at Evaluation stage 2 (P<0.001). A significant increase in Pap smear uptake was also seen in the control group from 63.0% at Baseline to 76.0% at Evaluation stage 1 (P=0.003).
CONCLUSIONS
Educational talk alone was effective in improving knowledge on cervical cancer and Pap smear, attitude towards the test, and the actual uptake of the test. However, text reminders were more effective than having an educational talk alone in increasing uptake of Pap smear test among participants.
.Topics: Adult; Aged; Attitude to Health; Female; Health Education; Health Promotion; Humans; Malaysia; Middle Aged; Papanicolaou Test; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Young Adult
PubMed: 32212817
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.3.853 -
Journal of Community Health Feb 2017Women involved in the United States criminal justice system face a variety of challenges in maintaining their health. Histories of sexual abuse, early initiation of sex,...
Women involved in the United States criminal justice system face a variety of challenges in maintaining their health. Histories of sexual abuse, early initiation of sex, and substance abuse are reflected in more negative reproductive health outcomes, including cervical cancer, than those found among non-incarcerated women. Little is known about how to close this health gap. The present study assessed what incarcerated women perceived to be facilitators and inhibitors of obtaining recommended follow-up for abnormal Pap tests. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 44 women in an urban county jail about experiences with Pap tests and how they followed-up on abnormal results. We analyzed data using the process of thematic content analysis. Four themes were found, Pap test abnormality as an all-inclusive phrase for women's health problems, unstable lives, the structural challenges of money, and competing demands. Women with criminal justice histories have numerous and complex challenges in following-up abnormal Pap test results, as well as other health problems. Understanding the context around the follow-up for abnormal Pap tests in this population may increase providers' ability to help women effectively obtain cancer prevention care that can be life-saving, as well as to more effectively provide care for other health problems.
Topics: Adult; Criminal Law; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Middle Aged; Papanicolaou Test; Prisoners; Qualitative Research; United States; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Young Adult
PubMed: 27449030
DOI: 10.1007/s10900-016-0225-3 -
The Journal of the American Board of... 1990
Topics: Female; Humans; Papanicolaou Test; Pregnancy; Puerperal Disorders; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; Vaginal Smears
PubMed: 2305644
DOI: No ID Found -
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics &... May 2019This study aimed to compare the diagnostic value of VIA with Pap smear in screening for cervical cancer. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to compare the diagnostic value of VIA with Pap smear in screening for cervical cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 440 women who had eligibility criteria, in Kashan city were assessed. All women underwent Pap smear test and then a visual inspection with acetic acid and colposcopy-biopsy (Gold Standard). Then, the diagnostic value indices including the specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values for the results of VIA and Pap smear were analyzed by SPSS V16 software.
RESULTS
Finding showed that 29.9% of women had abnormal Pap smear. The false positive rate of Pap smear was 40.2%, and its false negative rate was 37.4%. For VIA, the false positive and false negative rates were 21.2% and 4.6%. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV of Pap smear was 29.7%, 85.5%, 59.8%, 62.6%, and these values for VIA was 94.6%, 81.6%, 78.8%, 95.4% respectively. Combination of Pap smear and VIA showed the sensitivity of 97.3% and 100% in low grade and high grade cervical lesions.
CONCLUSION
VIA has a higher sensitivity than Pap smear in detection of low and high grade cervical lesions, however, its specificity is less than Pap smears. Therefore it is recommended to use of VIA along with Pap smear to reach a higher sensitivity.
Topics: Acetic Acid; Adult; Aged; Colposcopy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Humans; Iran; Middle Aged; Papanicolaou Test; Physical Examination; Sensitivity and Specificity; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Young Adult; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia
PubMed: 31122522
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2019.03.010 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology :... Oct 2018The aim of this prospective study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of women towards the Pap smear. It was carried out on the women coming to the Department of...
The aim of this prospective study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of women towards the Pap smear. It was carried out on the women coming to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at our University, with the help of a pre-formed questionnaire. We found that only 33% of the women were aware of the Pap smear, and of these hardly (10%) had the correct information. Sixty-five percent of the women said that they would have gotten the Pap smear done, if they had known about it earlier. Unless this knowledge amongst women is improved and their attitude is changed, the indices of cervical cancer cannot be improved. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? A Pap smear is used as a screening test to detect not only early stages of cervical cancer but also the precancerous conditions. A Pap smear is done every three years for routine screening, or every five years along with an HPV DNA test. What do the results of this study add? Despite the efforts from the medical fraternity and governments, the number of women undergoing this test in Uttar Pradesh is very minimal. This study analysed the knowledge and attitude of women towards the Pap smear. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results have brought into light the many factors hindering an effective cervical cancer screening in India. Further actions need to be directed in the direction to address these issues.
Topics: Adult; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; India; Middle Aged; Papanicolaou Test; Prospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vaginal Smears; Young Adult
PubMed: 29553837
DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2018.1437616 -
The Medical Clinics of North America Nov 1995Despite its limitations, the Pap smear is a widely accepted, powerful screening technique for cellular abnormalities of the cervix. Abnormal Pap smears are found in 1%... (Review)
Review
Despite its limitations, the Pap smear is a widely accepted, powerful screening technique for cellular abnormalities of the cervix. Abnormal Pap smears are found in 1% to 5% of the screened population, depending on the population characteristics. It is therefore important for all clinicians caring for women to be familiar with the principles of Pap smear screening, its strengths and weaknesses, the terminology used to interpret results, and the options for appropriate response to an abnormal smear. High-grade lesions require colposcopic examination and treatment; low-grade lesions require colposcopic examination and either treatment or close follow-up; atypical smears require some response, either repeated cytology or further investigation; glandular lesions require colposcopic examination and investigation of the endocervix. A tremendous amount of research is going on to assess the safest, most cost-effective approach to the detection, evaluation, and management of cervical epithelial lesions. It can be expected, therefore, that these recommendations will change over the next several years. All physicians providing health care for women should keep abreast of these changes.
Topics: Female; Humans; Papanicolaou Test; Uterine Cervical Diseases; Vaginal Smears
PubMed: 7475498
DOI: 10.1016/s0025-7125(16)30009-8 -
Gynecologic Oncology Jul 2019George Papanicolaou, a Greek immigrant and cytopathologist, was responsible for what is now colloquially known as the "Pap smear"-undoubtedly one of the greatest... (Review)
Review
George Papanicolaou, a Greek immigrant and cytopathologist, was responsible for what is now colloquially known as the "Pap smear"-undoubtedly one of the greatest advances in medicine and public health of the last century. However, his landmark research on the development of cervical cytology for the detection of precancerous lesions of the cervix ("New Cancer Diagnosis," 1928) made a rather inauspicious debut in an unlikely venue: John Harvey Kellogg's Third Race Betterment Conference-a meeting devoted to the furtherance of the concept and implementation of eugenics. Herein, we discuss the stark juxtaposition of Papanicolaou's landmark discovery amid the pseudoscience of the third Race Betterment Conference. We discuss the latency of Papnicolaou's discovery-its potential implications unrealized-until co-publication with Herbert Traut, which catapulted Papanicolaou's research to the scientific foreground. This gave rise to public health initiatives aimed at establishing the Pap smear as a screening tool. We further delineate the progress made in recent decades with the identification of HPV as the etiological agent for cervical cancer, and the subsequent development of the HPV vaccine, and discuss ongoing research in the present day. In this way, we hope to provide a background and historical context for the development of the Pap smear.
Topics: Cervix Uteri; Female; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Mass Screening; Papanicolaou Test; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections; United States; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vaginal Smears; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia
PubMed: 30995961
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2019.04.004 -
Australian Family Physician Jan 1997
Topics: Female; Humans; Papanicolaou Test; Specimen Handling; Vaginal Smears
PubMed: 9009027
DOI: No ID Found -
BMC Women's Health Aug 2021Cervical cancer is considered treatable as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Pap smear test is a screening tool that plays an important role in the...
OBJECTIVE
Cervical cancer is considered treatable as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Pap smear test is a screening tool that plays an important role in the early detection, prevention and can prevent any early cervical cell changes from becoming cancer. This study aims to survey the effect of educational programs based on beliefs, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control on doing the pap-smear test in a sample of Iranian women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This experimental interventional study was performed on 300 women admitted to Fasa City, Fars Province, Iran health centers in 2018-2019. A questionnaire consisting of demographic information, knowledge, Health Belief Model, and Theory of Planned Behavior constructs were used to measure on doing of Pap smear test in women before and after 6 months' educational intervention.
RESULTS
The results revealed that 6 months after the intervention, 108 women (72%) in the experimental group and only 9 women (6%) in the control group received the Pap smear test.
CONCLUSIONS
The current research results revealed that education based on the combination of the health Belief model and theory of planned behavior might be promoting participation and an increasing rate of receiving Pap smear tests in women.
Topics: Behavior Control; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Iran; Papanicolaou Test
PubMed: 34362375
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01419-w