What is pap smear?--
It is a smear prepared from the surface cells of the cervix.

The basis in diagnosis--
The surface cells of the cervix are denuded continuously. These cells if examined can give an idea of the condition of the cervix.

Utility--
Early diagnosis of cancer of the cervix.
It has been shown that in-situ carcinoma (very early non- invasive stage) exists for 10 years or more before it becomes invasive. If the condition can be picked at this stage; one can very well have a curative approach.

Reliability--
Accuracy of the smear reports for cancer cervix is 95-100%.
False negative reports can be as high as 10%.
A pap smear positive case is always confirmed by biopsy.

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