ROLE OF PAP SMEAR AS A SCREENING TOOL FOR CERVICAL CANCER: AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among females worldwide and its behaviour epidemiologically likes a venereal disease of low infectiousness caused by HPV. Early age at first intercourse and multiple sexual partners have been shown to exert strong effects on risk. Aim & Objective: To study the role of pap smear as a screening tool for cervical cancer among healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: A Prospective Study conducted on sexually active women. Data collected regarding history, complaints and pap smear reports. Results: In our present study 46.2%women screened for cervical cancer belong to 31-40 age group and 37% women belong to 41-50 age group and remaining age group constitute less. Cytology report 55.5% Negative for Inflammatory smear and 20% had inflammatory smear with reactive atypia. Among cytology reports LSIL constituted 5.5% of which belong to age group 41 and above and 1.8% HSIL belong to age group 31-40. In our study second parity constituted 52.3% followed by first parity 13.2%.Majority were asymptomatic 46.2% and symptoms like irregular menstrual cycles constituting 18.5% and white discharge and amenorrhea constituting 9.25% in our study group. Conclusion: Pap smear testing is an effective, simple, affordable, and safe method for detecting precancerous lesions of cervix. It is available at free of cost in government hospitals. It should be implemented as a routine screening procedure to lessen the burden of treatment, as well as reduce morbidity and mortality related to cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]