Evaluation of efficacy of an eco friendly enviropap and REAP stain in cervical cytology at resource limited area

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is integral to any cancer control program in India because of the disease burden. Quick diagnosis plays a crucial role in limited resource areas. Hence, cost-effective and eco-friendly staining procedures with less time consumption help screening for cervical cancer cytodiagnosis. Thus, we wanted to assess the superiority of staining of smears by REAP (Rapid Economical Acetic acid Papanicolaou) technique and the newer EnviroPap (Environmental Papanicolaou) technique compared to conventional Pap technique on cervical smears. Methods: From each patient, three smears were prepared, one with routine conventional method, one with REAP stain, and another with EnviroPap stain and quality parameters were noted. The chi-square test assessed differences in categorical variables between stains; a p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Statistical analysis used was the Chi-square test, and p value of <0.05 using a two-tailed test was taken as being significant for all statistical tests. Results: REAP and Enviropap stained smears showed excellent nuclear and cytoplasmic details compared to conventional Pap staining protocol. Conclusions: REAP and EnviroPap staining protocols for those two techniques were simpler, easier, and costeffective, which took minimal turnaround time for assessing pap smears at a large scale.