Public Release: 

Physicians evaluate new device to test for cervical cancer

UC Riverside-led research finds the new device is less painful and minimizes discomfort

University of California - Riverside


IMAGE: The top photo shows the new device. The bottom photo is the 'old' standard device. view more 

Credit: J. Diedrich, UC Riverside.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - When a woman has an abnormal pap smear she usually undergoes colposcopy, the procedure physicians use to closely examine the cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease. Typically a metal instrument is used to obtain a small sampling of cells inside the cervix - a procedure that is oftentimes painful for the patient and does not consistently give good results.


"We found that the new fabric devices had significantly fewer 'inadequate' specimens--meaning, patients did not need to return for repeat biopsies," said Diedrich, an assistant clinical professor in obstetrics/gynecology and family planning. "This new device means that patients will get better results, with fewer patients needing repeat biopsies, which can increase patient satisfaction."




"The new device, on the other hand, is not sharp and removes the appropriate amount of cells while minimizing discomfort," he said. "Because the biopsy gets more tissue, it is able to find more precancerous cells. This could be the difference between intervening early before someone develops cancer and waiting until it has grown larger."


"Innovation can make medicine work better and more efficiently," Diedrich said. "In this case, innovation is making colposcopy less painful, gets a larger biopsy, and improves the detection of abnormal cells."


"Whenever someone has an abnormal pap smear she should speak with her doctor about what the management options are," Diedrich said. "If the patient needs a colposcopy to have her cervix looked at more closely, she should ask about ways to minimize discomfort."


Diedrich, who joined UCR in 2015, was joined in the research by Sumra Rathore, M.D., at Aurora Diagnostics Bernhardt Laboratories, Jacksonville, Fla.; and Joel S. Bentz, M.D., at Aurora Diagnostics, Las Vegas, NV.

