Cytobrush: Benefits, Uses & Role in Pap Smear and Cervical Cancer Screening
A cytobrush is a small, sterile medical instrument used to collect cells from the cervix for laboratory examination. It has soft nylon bristles designed to gently scrape cells from the endocervical canal during procedures such as a Pap smear. Cytobrushes play a crucial role in detecting cervical abnormalities, infections, and early signs of cancer. It is most commonly used during a Pap smear , a screening test that helps detect precancerous or cancerous changes in the cervix. Main Uses of Cytobrush 1. Cervical Cancer Screening The primary use of a cytobrush is during a Pap smear to collect cervical cells. These cells are examined under a microscope to detect: Precancerous changes Cervical cancer Abnormal cell growth Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes. 2. HPV Testing Cytobrush is also used to collect samples for HPV test . This test identifies high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that may lead to cervical cancer. 3. Detection...