PATHCHAT Edition
Published: 2024
Please contact your local Ampath pathologist for more information.
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?
✅ Key Benefits
✔ 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 test price: R269.60.
- 20% discount available for upfront payment.
📌 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.