Screening test Flashcards
What are indications for a smear test?
PMB, IMB, Screening
How often are women screened?
Every 3 years between 25-50 and every 5 years between 50-65
When is screening offered to women above 65?
If they have not been screened since 50, or if they have had recent abnormal smears.
When is someone referred for colposcopy?
If three inadequate samples are collected, or if borderline endocervical cells, mild dyskaryosis, moderate dyskaryosis and severe dyskaryosis.
What if there are borderline changes in squamous cells?
Repeat screen within 6 months and most cases will have resolved by this time. If there are more than 3 borderline changes within 10 years, refer for colposcopy.
How man normal smears are required before a patient can return to the normal screening programme?
Three
If mild dyskaryosis, what happens?
Its usual practice to refer for colposcopy after one abnormal smear, but acceptable to have two, six months apart, before referral.
What percentage of patients with mild dyskaryosis will ultimately resolve spontaneously by the time of the 2nd smear? (in 6 months)
60%
What are the indications for swabs to be taken?
If there is a suspected infection or could be elective to test for subclinical infection or before insertion of IUD/IUS.
How is a high vaginal swab obtained and what does it test for?
Using a cotton swab, collect sample from the lateral vaginal walls and posterior fornix. You can test for candida, BV and TV.
How is an endocervical swab obtained and what can you test for here?
By placing a cotton swab in the endocervical os and rotating. You can test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea
What type of cancer can a molar pregnancy result in?
Choriocarcinoma- all patients with hydratiform moles are followed up in specialist centres until six months after their beta-HCG levels become negative. They also need a follow-up after every subsequent pregnancy, regardless of outcome.
What does long-term exposure to HRT lead to?
Breast carcinoma
What can sup-fertility and ovulation induction treatment be linked to?
Ovarian cancer
When can women be discharged from the cervical screening programme?
Patients who are over 65 who have always had normal smears can be discharged from the programme. Also if the patient had a TAH and the cervix was removed they are discharged.
