Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The Pap smear revisited.

P W Shield1, B Daunter, R G Wright

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Queensland, Brisbane.

The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
|November 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Identification of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma in FNA specimens using thyroid peroxidase immunohistochemistry.

Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology·2018
Same author

Metastatic pleural mesothelioma presenting in a breast fine needle aspiration specimen.

Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology·2016
Same author

The significance of extracellular mucin in breast fine needle aspiration specimens.

Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology·2015
Same author

Rapid on-site evaluation of fine needle aspiration specimens by cytology scientists: a review of 3032 specimens.

Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology·2014
Same author

The varied presentation of metastatic melanoma in fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast.

Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology·2011
Same author

A method to estimate the formaldehyde concentration in fixative solutions.

Pathology·2011
Same journal

Determining the Feasibility of a No-Ultrasound Screening Tool for Early Medical Abortion in Australia.

The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology·2026
Same journal

'All In': Equitable Health Outcomes Require Culturally Safe Care for Everybody.

The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology·2026
Same journal

Benzylpenicillin Concentrations in Intrapartum Group B Streptococcus Prevention Guidelines; A Systematic Review of the Evidence.

The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology·2026
Same journal

Retrospective Cohort Study of Foetal Growth Restricted Births After 40 Weeks at an Australian Tertiary Maternity Hospital Between 2018 and 2021.

The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology·2026
Same journal

Models of Antenatal Care for Rural Indigenous Women: A Systematic Review.

The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology·2026
Same journal

Dispensing of Antiemetics During Pregnancy in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2005-2020.

The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology·2026
See all related articles

Papanicolaou smear screening effectively detects cervical cancer early. Despite challenges like false negatives and coverage gaps, organized Pap smear programs show potential in reducing cervical cancer mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Gynecology
  • Oncology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cervical cancer screening via Papanicolaou (Pap) smear is standard in developed nations.
  • The cervix is accessible for investigation and treatment, with early-stage cervical cancer being recognizable and treatable.
  • The Pap smear is a simple, cost-effective, reliable, and safe screening method.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of Papanicolaou smear screening in reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality.
  • To identify challenges in current cervical cancer screening programs, particularly regarding test accuracy and population coverage.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing data and observational studies on Papanicolaou smear screening programs.
  • Analysis of factors contributing to false-negative results, including collection and laboratory errors.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of recommendations regarding screening frequency and their impact on cost-effectiveness and detection rates.

    • Main Results:

    • Pap smear tests exhibit high specificity but imperfect sensitivity, with collection errors being a primary cause of false negatives.
    • Well-organized screening programs with wide coverage and proper follow-up demonstrate an impact on reducing cervical cancer mortality.
    • Coverage of high-risk groups, especially women over 40, remains a significant challenge.
    • While triennial screening may be cost-effective, concerns over false negatives support annual screening.

    Conclusions:

    • Papanicolaou smear screening is a valuable tool for early cervical cancer detection and has contributed to mortality reduction.
    • Improving test sensitivity and addressing coverage gaps in high-risk populations are crucial for enhancing screening program effectiveness.
    • Future advancements may involve increasing test sensitivity or incorporating additional diagnostic tests.