DOHA: The Department of Pathology at Sidra Medical and Research Centre hosted an event to mark a century of progress in gynaecological cytopathology and chart the future of the field in Qatar and beyond.
A symposium, ‘The First Century of Gynaecological Cytopathology: The Pap Test – Then, Now and the Future’, was attended by over 150 professionals from the healthcare sector.
It aimed to showcase the research and scientific work that led to the creation and implementation of the Pap test, and stress potential effectiveness of a structured screening programme for cervical cancer.
Developed by Dr George N Papanicolaou and his co-workers at Cornell Medical College, New York, starting in November 1914, the test was formalised and put into clinical practice in 1954, supported by American Cancer Society.
The test is a non-invasive screening tool to detect abnormal cells in the uterine cervix that, if left untreated, may lead to cervical cancer. Early detection of these cells allows for effective patient treatment, management and, often, a cure.
Introduction of the test in structured screening programmes in the early 1960s has proven successful, leading to over 70 percent reduction in the mortality and incidence of cervical cancer in those regions.
Cervical cancer remains a major burden on women’s health worldwide, and in developing regions where screening programmes are inadequate or non-existent.
Without intervention, it is projected that there could be 530,000 additional annual cases and about 25 percent increase in the next 10 years.
About 88 percent of cases are expected to occur primarily in regions where less than 5 percent of women have access to screening even for once in their lifetime.
Cervical cancer is a preventable disease if identified through screening. With vaccines effective against the human papilloma virus that causes cervical cancer, the disease can be overcome with a well-managed preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic programme.
Sidra, along with partnering institutions, will play a leading role in developing foundations to establish a universal screening programme for cervical cancer in Qatar,” said Sidra’s Nikolaos Chantziantoniou.
The Peninsula
