Foreword

Pap tests continue to form the basis of the National Cervical Screening Program. They are one of the most commonly ordered pathology tests and the only screening test in the Medicare schedule. Although widely used for decades in Australia and even with continued efforts at education and quality improvement, Gynaecological Cytology remains one of the most difficult areas in pathology.

This project ‘Challenges in Cytology: Confronting Difficult High Grade Lesions’ represents a major initiative of the NSW Cervical Screening Program. It is envisaged to be an ongoing education program aimed at lifting cytological expertise to a higher level, particularly in the diagnosis of more difficult and newly recognised gynaecological cytological appearances.

The author is Mr Ron Bowditch, a well known scientist and educator in cytology. It is designed for both scientists and pathologists who have some experience and interest in gynaecological cytology. There will be elements of the project that will be both stimulating and challenging even for those with long experience in the discipline. Some of these concepts may be controversial but they are certainly worth thinking about. This book is to be used in conjunction with the workshops during which time there will be ample opportunity to discuss these more difficult appearances and their significance. The program is based on cytological criteria, the corner-stone of interpretive cytology, but adopts an innovative approach examining logically both the methods of screening as well as cytological features using a combination of practical workshops and printed resource materials.

‘Challenges In Cytology: Confronting Difficult High Grade Lesions’ is certain to break new ground in gynaecological cytology education in NSW and to improve diagnostic standards in this important area of women’s health. We commend this project to you.

October 2002