Nanocytology as a potential biomarker for cancer

Cancer continues to be the major threat to human health throughout the world [1]. Lippman and Hawk reviewed the achievements in cancer research and control in the past 100 years [2]. Cervical cancer control is very succesful in countries with appropriate cervical canecr screen measures. By combining a simple Papanicolaou test developed in 1940s that is capable of detecting and characterizing precancerous cellular changes, with an effective management scheme using colposcopy, the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer has drastically decreased in countries where screen programs are in place. From the lessons learned from cervical cancer control, a two-pronged approach should be used to achieve the best result: one focused on detection, the other for effective management of the detected precancerous lesions effectively. No success can be achieved without both.

Click here to read the full article in Biomarkers in Medicine.