Gynaecological PAP Smear

Test Indication

Method of cervical screening used to detect potentially precancerous and cancerous processes in the cervix.

Sample Type

Conventional Method OR Liquid Based Cytology (LBC)

Patient Preparation

1. Patient should NOT make an appointment for her Pap test during her menstrual period. The preferred time for the examination is two weeks after the first day of her last menstrual period.

2. Patient should be instructed NOT to use vaginal medications, vaginal contraceptives, lubricants, or douches for 48 hours before her appointment. Intercourse is not recommended the night before the examination.

Sample Collection & Labeling

Conventional Method

1. Label a clean glass slide with patient’s name and IC number with pencil on the frosted end of the glass slide.

2. DO NOT use lubricant on the speculum.

3. Place cervical spatula at the external os and rotate through 360o degrees, lightly scraping the squamo – columnar junction.

4. Smear the material onto the labeled glass slide about as thick as a blood film.

5. Fix the slide immediately, either by immersing it in a coplin jar containing 95% alcohol for at least 30 minutes or use a spray fixative.

6. Air-dry the fixed slide.

7. Place the slide in a slide mailer and send to the cytology laboratory.

Liquid Based Cytology (LBC)

1. Label the vial with patient’s name and IC number.

2. DO NOT use lubricant on the speculum

3. Obtain an adequate sample from the cervix using a broom-like device. Insert the central bristles of the broom into the endocervical canal deep enough to allow the shorter bristles to fully contact the ectocervix. Push gently, and rotate the broom in clockwise direction five times.

4. Rinse the broom into the vial containing the fixative solution by pushing the broom into the bottom of the vial 10 times.

5. Transport the vial to cytology laboratory.