Why Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) Matters
Cervical Cancer and the Need for Better Screening
- Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy in South African women.
- Despite over 65 years of Pap testing, cervical cancer remains a major public health concern.
- Advances such as LBC have significantly improved cervical cancer detection and reduced mortality rates.
Benefits of LBC Over Conventional Pap Smears
- Provides better sample quality.
- Improves reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity for detecting cervical cancer lesions.
- Allows additional cytology, ancillary testing, and digital computer-assisted analysis.
LBC enhances cervical cancer screening by reducing sample contamination and improving accuracy.
What is Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC)?
How LBC Works
- An improved method of collecting cervical cell samples.
- Instead of spreading cells on a slide, they are suspended in a fixative liquid.
- This method removes contaminants such as blood, mucus, and inflammatory cells.
Advantages of LBC Over Conventional Pap Smears
- Increases accuracy in detecting cervical cancer and precursor lesions.
- Reduces the need for repeat Pap tests, lowering costs and patient inconvenience.
- Enables additional tests (HPV subtyping, cytology) using the same sample within 30 days.
LBC produces cleaner, more interpretable samples, reducing false negatives and the need for repeat testing.
LBC Testing Platforms
Current LBC Technologies
-ThinPrep®
-SurePath®
Why Use These Platforms?
- Both provide increased accuracy in detecting:
- Cervical cancer.
- Atypical cells.
- Precursor lesions.
- Samples can be used for primary HPV screening and additional triage tests.
LBC technology improves screening efficiency and offers more flexible testing options.
Why Choose LBC?
Saves Lives: Early detection of cervical cancer improves outcomes.
Superior Sample Quality: LBC samples are free from contamination.
Flexible Testing: A single sample can be used for multiple tests, including HPV subtyping.
Cost-effective
LBC enables a more comprehensive and accurate cervical cancer screening approach.
Contact Information
For more details or to arrange testing, contact:
- Ampath Customer Care: 012 678 1000
- Visit: ampath.co.za
Switching to LBC ensures better cervical cancer screening with improved accuracy and efficiency.