Liquid-based Cytology (LBC): Automation of LBC and an Appraisal of the UK National Cervical Screening Programme.
Introduction
The study of cells’ structure, morphology and arrangement to determine the cause, pathophysiology or type of disease is known as cytopathology. Cervical screening is a common diagnostic gynaecological service that is used to help diagnose it. Cervical Cancer is “the third leading cause of cancer in women worldwide” (Freitas et al, 2012, p. 305). The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a common virus that is usually transferred during sexual intercourse. Many women contract HPV, but usually the body destroys the virus. HPV is linked to the development of abnormal cervical cells, and if left untreated, progresses into cervical cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are specifically associated with precancerous lesions and invasive cancer. In an article, Freitas (2012) states that around 85% of cervical cancer are caused by …show more content…
The Pap test and LBC method are unique methods used for preparing samples that are obtained from the cervix for a laboratory diagnosis. In the 1990s, LBC was introduced as a technique on improving the detection of abnormalities over the cervical cytology test known as the Papanicolaou (PAP) test (Smith. J, 2011). The traditional method of collecting a cervical sample is used for both the Pap and LBC method, however they differ as the PAP test involves the specimen to be spread over a slide as soon as it has been collected, whereas with the LBC method, once the sample has been collected, a vial sent to the laboratory is filtered, and rotated evenly by a rotating cylinder to distribute the cells. An article by Bollmann. R (2008) states there are three LBC methods used in Germany -SurePath, PapSin and ThinPrep. However, in the UK the SurePath and ThinPrep systems are the two methods approved (Smith. J,
Introduction
The study of cells’ structure, morphology and arrangement to determine the cause, pathophysiology or type of disease is known as cytopathology. Cervical screening is a common diagnostic gynaecological service that is used to help diagnose it. Cervical Cancer is “the third leading cause of cancer in women worldwide” (Freitas et al, 2012, p. 305). The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a common virus that is usually transferred during sexual intercourse. Many women contract HPV, but usually the body destroys the virus. HPV is linked to the development of abnormal cervical cells, and if left untreated, progresses into cervical cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are specifically associated with precancerous lesions and invasive cancer. In an article, Freitas (2012) states that around 85% of cervical cancer are caused by …show more content…
The Pap test and LBC method are unique methods used for preparing samples that are obtained from the cervix for a laboratory diagnosis. In the 1990s, LBC was introduced as a technique on improving the detection of abnormalities over the cervical cytology test known as the Papanicolaou (PAP) test (Smith. J, 2011). The traditional method of collecting a cervical sample is used for both the Pap and LBC method, however they differ as the PAP test involves the specimen to be spread over a slide as soon as it has been collected, whereas with the LBC method, once the sample has been collected, a vial sent to the laboratory is filtered, and rotated evenly by a rotating cylinder to distribute the cells. An article by Bollmann. R (2008) states there are three LBC methods used in Germany -SurePath, PapSin and ThinPrep. However, in the UK the SurePath and ThinPrep systems are the two methods approved (Smith. J,