Liquiprep Cytology

Liquid Based cytology is specialised technique which gives more accurate results and hence is more sensitive and can detect slightest of the abnormalities.

Who should do the test?

Most women between the ages of 21 and 65 should have regular Pap smears atleast every 3 years and every 5 years if combined with HPV testing.Screening is not recommended for women or girls under the age of 21. In this age group, the risk of cervical cancer is very low. 

Your doctor will recommend you this test if

• Had an abnormal Pap smear in the past
• Have HIV
• Have a weakened immune system

Cervical cancer screening is an essential part of a woman’s routine health care. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by infection with human papillomavirus, or HPV.

The primary goal of screening is to identify the lesions caused by HPV so they can be removed before cancer develops. A secondary goal is to find cervical cancers at an early stage, for successful treatment.  Routine cervical screening has been shown to greatly reduce both the number of cervical cancer cases and deaths from the disease.

Cervical cancer screening is used to detect any abnormalities in cervical cells before it grows into cancer. It can also be done to screen for HPV (Human papillomavirus). Infection with HPV often changes cervical cells and can cause cancer.

The conventional method for cervical cancer screening isPapanicolaou smear,more commonly known as PAP smear. Liquid Based cytology is technique used in Cervical cancer screening.

However, PAP test is less sensitive and there are high chances of false negative results. Majority of improper results are due to incorrect sample collection and handling.

Requirements: It is not recommended to do this test while you are having periods. The best suited time is 5 days after last day of period. Additional two to three days before the test you should not have sex, wash or clean internal parts of vagina or use birth control creams or foams.

Interpretation: results of the test may simply come as abnormal or normal. Also in addition to this test, if you have also taken HPV testing test, then it may be written as positive or negative. The report of the two test together guide your doctor including whether you are at risk of developing cervical cancer or not and if yes, do you fall in the high risk group. It is advisable to talk to your doctor, for specific information about liquid based cytology results and HPV test results and what these results mean.