Cancer Articles (Dr. S.N White)

When should the first Pap test be done?  The recommendation of the National Institute of Health is that all women who have had sexual intercourse should begin a regular screening program for cervical cancer . Should older women continue to have Pap smears?   The National Cancer Institute's Conference panel noted that if two negative Pap smears are obtained after the age of 60, further smears do not appear to be needed. Some doctors recommend Pap tests regularly up to the age of 65 and every three to five years beyond 65. How is the Pap test done?  Living cells are collected from the vaginal fluid by gently scraping the surface of the cervix. These cells are preserved with fixative solution, stained, and put on a microscope slide to be read by a pathologist. The test is done by a gynecologist or another physician in his office, or it can be done at a clinic. Is it necessary to have a Pap test every year?   The American Cancer Society offers the following ...

What is cytology?  Cytology is that branch of medicine which deals with the formation, structure, and function of cells. When it is mentioned in the area of diagnosis for cancer, it is sometimes called exfoliative cytology and refers to the technique of examining cells which have been normally shed or which are scraped from living tissue. The cells, which cannot be seen by the naked eye, are examined under the microscope, usually by a pathologist or a technician trained to know whether the cells look normal or not. original picture address What kinds of tests are cytological exams?  There are several: • Pap test to detect cervical cancer • Vaginal pool aspiration or endometrial aspiration to detect uterine cancer • Sputum tests to detect lung cancer • Urine sediment tests to detect cancer ofthe urinary tract, especially bladder • Scrapings from the mouth to detect oral cancer • Cell samples from the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, or duodenum • Fluid tests...