Women in the study will have cervical samples obtained with Liquid Based Cytology (LBC).

ThinPrep® is a LBC collection method that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an alternative to the conventional Pap smear since 1996. LBC sampling in the HPV FOCAL Study will be done with the ThinPrep® broom-like collection method. Please follow the special instructions that should be followed for successful specimen collection with this device.

Study supplies will be provided to you by the study centre. The LBC collection kits can only be used on study participants. HPV testing cannot be performed on the conventional Pap smear, therefore it is important that only LBC kits are utilized.

Cervical sample results will be sent to your offices as soon as they are available.

For information on Bathesda terminology, please see Appendix 4 of "Screening for Cancer of the Cervix: An Office Manual for Health Professionals".