Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer causing death among women in developing countries. In India, the peak age for cervical cancer incidence is 55–59 years. However, older and poor women who are at the highest risk of developing cancer are least likely to undergo screening. Pap smear being the most cost-effective, non-invasive and a technically easy screening tool for cervical cancer detection should be carried out in the older population, at regular intervals, if the morbidity and mortality resulting from cervical cancer have to be brought down.

Objectives: To study the incidence of epithelial abnormalities on pap smear in postmenopausal women.

Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on pap smears of 700 postmenopausal women attending the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New Civil Hospital, Surat, during January 2014 to December 2015. The pap smears were reported in the Department of Pathology using The Bethesda System.

Results: The incidence of epithelial abnormalities was 5.36%. The age group of 51-60 years showed the highest incidence of epithelial abnormalities. The incidence of epithelial abnormalities in asymptomatic women was 6.46%.

Conclusion: The findings of our study indicate the need to increase awareness regarding the risk of cervical cancer in postmenopausal women, along with efforts to include even asymptomatic women in the screening for cervical cytology.

Key words: Postmenopausal, Pap smear, Cervical cancer