title: The current status of the Papanicolaou smear.
abstract: Since its introduction as a screen for cervical cancer in the late 1940s, the Pap smear has become one of the most widely accepted screening procedures for cancer. Numerous scientific studies have now attested to its effectiveness. However, important issues related to the Pap smear, including cytologic nomenclature, accuracy, regulatory procedures, and screening guidelines, are still being evaluated and debated. This article provides an overview of important issues related to the Pap smear.
authors.affiliation: American Cancer Society in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Shingleton
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D012307:Risk Factors; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards