Challenges of using cytology-based screening (Pap) in lowresource
settings
Papanicolaou (Pap) testing has resulted in dramatically lowered cervical cancer rates
when the test is repeated every few years. But most developing countries lack the
resources, infrastructure and trained personnel needed to implement such
programs. Effective screening programs require high coverage of women at risk,
quality s creening tests, and effective follow-up and treatment. These often are
challenging to achieve with a cytology-based program because Pap tests require a
doctor or nurse to collect a cervical cell sample, a cytotechnician to process and
interpret the sample, and a pathol ogis t to confirm pos itive res ul ts . And l ike other
screening strategies, Pap programs also need systems for active recruitment of
women, monitoring the quality of test results, and ensuring that all women with
abnormal res ul ts receive appropriate treatment.
One of the limitations of Pap is the subjective nature of the test — it is dependent
on individual interpretation. Additionally, due to the observed low sensitivity (the
abil ity of the tes t to correctl y identify pos itive cases ) of cytology, frequent rescreening
every
one,
three
or
five
years
is
key
to
the
effectiveness
of
Pap
programs.
This
further
increases
the
costs
and
challenges
for
developing
countries.
Cytology can be burdensome for patients. A woman must generally make three or
more separate cl inic vis its , firs t to be tes ted; then to l earn the res ul ts ; and where
A comprehensive approach
to cervical cancer
prevention that includes
screening, precancer
treatment, and HPV
vaccination could reduce
developing-country cervical
cancer deaths to the very
low levels currently
observed in many
industrialized countries.
2
Cervical Cancer Action Coalition | New Options for Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment
appl icabl e, to receive further testing, diagnosis, or treatment. Even in countries
where such services are available, some women face challenges related to transport,
clinic hours, expenses and child care demands. In low-resource settings the time
and cos t invol ved with mul tipl e vis its , combined with l ow l evel s of awareness of the
benefits of screening and other cultural issues, can represent major barriers to
acces s ing preventive health s ervices in the pos t-reproductive years
Challenges of using cytology-based screening (Pap) in lowresourcesettings Papanicolaou (Pap) testing has resulted in dramatically lowered cervical cancer rateswhen the test is repeated every few years. But most developing countries lack theresources, infrastructure and trained personnel needed to implement such programs. Effective screening programs require high coverage of women at risk, quality s creening tests, and effective follow-up and treatment. These often arechallenging to achieve with a cytology-based program because Pap tests require adoctor or nurse to collect a cervical cell sample, a cytotechnician to process andinterpret the sample, and a pathol ogis t to confirm pos itive res ul ts . And l ike otherscreening strategies, Pap programs also need systems for active recruitment ofwomen, monitoring the quality of test results, and ensuring that all women withabnormal res ul ts receive appropriate treatment. One of the limitations of Pap is the subjective nature of the test — it is dependenton individual interpretation. Additionally, due to the observed low sensitivity (the abil ity of the tes t to correctl y identify pos itive cases ) of cytology, frequent rescreeningeveryone,threeorfiveyearsiskeytotheeffectivenessofPapprograms.Thisfurtherincreasesthecostsandchallengesfordevelopingcountries.Cytology can be burdensome for patients. A woman must generally make three ormore separate cl inic vis its , firs t to be tes ted; then to l earn the res ul ts ; and where
A comprehensive approach
to cervical cancer
prevention that includes
screening, precancer
treatment, and HPV
vaccination could reduce
developing-country cervical
cancer deaths to the very
low levels currently
observed in many
industrialized countries.
2
Cervical Cancer Action Coalition | New Options for Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment
appl icabl e, to receive further testing, diagnosis, or treatment. Even in countries
where such services are available, some women face challenges related to transport,
clinic hours, expenses and child care demands. In low-resource settings the time
and cos t invol ved with mul tipl e vis its , combined with l ow l evel s of awareness of the
benefits of screening and other cultural issues, can represent major barriers to
acces s ing preventive health s ervices in the pos t-reproductive years
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