A London-based study suggests cervical cancer diagnoses may be missed in patients who have recently had a pap smear test.
Researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute reviewed the health records of 38 women under the age of 50 who were treated for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) between September 2010 and December 2012 at London Health Sciences Centre. Of those patients, 13 had undergone a Pap smear within two years of their diagnosis.
The findings indicate the cancer screening test may have led physicians to prematurely dismiss signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, according to lead researcher Dr. David D'Souza.
“The women we interviewed expressed feelings of shock upon receiving their diagnosis. They believed a normal Pap test meant they were cancer-free,” said D'Souza, who is a radiation oncologist with the London Regional Cancer Program.
Pap smears are recommended every three years for women over 25 with normal results.
Some of the women interviewed as part of the study told researchers their symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding and back pain were explained away using other factors including the patient being "too young" to get cancer of the cervix and a previous C-section.
The study showed a need to educate physicians on the presentation and diagnosis of cervical cancer, researchers indicated.
“A Pap test is a screening tool; not a diagnostic test for invasive cancer, and should not be relied upon to rule out disease,” said Dr. Jacob McGee, Gynecologic Oncologist at LHSC. “Pelvic exam with direct visualization and assessment of the cervix should be an initial step in the evaluation of women who are symptomatic.”
Researchers did, however, note that since the implementation of regular screening death from cervical cancer has decreased by 75 per cent.
The study was recently published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science.