Chapter 20: Diagnostic investigations
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Related theory
The intention of a smear test is to collect squamous epithelial cells and some endocervical cells from the transformation zone (see Figure 20.3) and squamocolumnar junction of the cervix where most cervical cancers arise. The sampling technique must take into consideration that the position of the squamocolumnar junction changes with age, contraception and parity (Higgins [65], WHO [170]).
