TY - JOUR ID - TI - Papanicolaou Smear Outcome of Referred Women to Health Facilities in Baghdad AU - Ayser F Abdulraheem AU - Jamal M Khudhairi PY - 2014 VL - 13 IS - 1 SP - 33 EP - 37 JO - Mustansiriya Medical Journal مجلة المستنصرية الطبية SN - 20701128 22274081 AB - Background: Cervical cancer is second most common cancer among women worldwide. It is preventable disease because there is usually a phase of pre-malignancy, dysplasia or intraepithelial neoplasia. As the cervix is relatively accessible organ to examine, cells can be easily obtained in the premalignant phase. Cervical cytology by Papanicolaou smear is an effective means of screening for cervical premalignant and malignant conditions. Aim of the study: To describe the socio-demographic characteristics of women referred through cervical screening, in addition to cyto-pathological classification of Papanicolaou smears taken. Patients and Methods: Cross section study carried out from January through June 2012 on a sample of 300 women attending departments of obstetrics and gynecology in two teaching hospitals, and one national cancer center, in Baghdad. All studied women were referred for Papanicolaou smears. Papanicolaou smears were collected; slides were handed to relevant cytopathology laboratories. When reports were due, results were classified according to Bethesda system in order to standardize results coming from different laboratories, and different examiners. Results: normal Papanicolaou smears were seen in (4%) of the studied women, (42%) had inflammatory reaction, (10%) had atypical cells of undetermined significant, (19%) had low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, (20%) had high grade intraepithelial lesion, (1%) had cancer of the cervix, and in (3%) of the studied women the smear was inadequate. Mean time from referral till getting the result was (10 ± 6) days. Although Papanicolaou positivity was not significantly associated with residency, marital life duration and parity, it showed high significant association with usage of contraceptive hormones, and menopause. Conclusion: Premalignant and malignant lesions of cervix are not uncommon in referred women especially in menopausal women and those using hormonal contraception. Lesions can be detected early by Papanicolaou smear. There is discrepancy, and delay in reporting of Papanicolaou smear result, negatively reflected on screening program.

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