Cervical brush biopsy specimens suitable for DNA and oncoprotein analysis using flow cytometry.

Abstract

Carcinoma of the cervix is one of the few cancers for which effective screening could be carried out for most of the population at risk. Recent official recommen- dations in the United Kingdom suggest that cervical smears should be carried out at 5 yearly intervals. The past decade, however, has seen a dramatic increase in the incidence of abnormal smears, especially in young women. -3 This must generate a need for more smears, not only during follow up after treatment but also for initial diagnosis. Increasing the number of cervical smears/person would overwhelm existing analysis resources: the requirement for automated analysis is obvious.