We provide preparatory and diagnostic services for all fluid, smear, and aspiration specimens. We also provide pathologist-performed fine-needle aspiration service at the request of physicians, and offer complete cytopathology consult services including preparation, analysis, and ancillary studies for cervical cancer and other diseases. Our Cytoprep Lab processes and reads more than 70,000 specimens per year. Since the introduction of the Pap smear test for the early detection of cervical cancer in 1941, there has been a 70% reduction in the cervical cancer mortality rate, the most significant reduction of mortality attributable to any modern medical test. The latest developments in cervical cancer detection technology promise to reduce this rate even further. Our goals are to: Maintain excellence in specimen preparation and diagnostic accuracy Provide the highest quality consultative services to our clinical colleagues, both within our institution and elsewhere Support and incorporate advanced diagnostic techniques to improve diagnostic accuracy Pioneer new molecular techniques to increase the amount of information obtained from the minimal amounts of tissues received in routine specimens

Working out of Yale New Haven Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital, the Gynecologic Pathology program is a fundamental component in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the female genital organs. Our pathologists are subspecialty-trained and highly experienced, with a passion for patient care. The program emphasizes diagnostic tissue evaluation, oncological biomarker identification, and clinical applications, as well as understanding the pathogenesis of various gynecological cancers. We encounter a high volume of complex, neoplastic gynecologic surgical specimens from the Yale Gynecologic Oncology Service and biopsy specimens from many outpatient clinics in the greater New Haven area. Beyond routine tissue diagnosis, team members actively participate in the real-time decision-making process for patient management, including daily intraoperative consultation, weekly gynecologic tumor conferences, and many ongoing cancer clinical trial programs. We have a national and international reputation as experts in the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic diseases (complete and partial hydatidiform moles, gestational trophoblastic tumors) and endometrial cancer. We are among the few institutions to offer molecular genotyping as part of the routine diagnostic algorithm for molar pregnancies. Our services include examination of the following: Ovarian cancer, endometrium, and cervix Infertility, placental evaluation, endometrial hyperplasia, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, cervical Pap smear, sexually transmitted diseases, cervical dysplasia

Cancer Screening strategies are used to identify cancers at their earliest stage, before the onset of signs and symptoms, when the disease is most easily treated or cured. Cancer Prevention strategies are used to minimize the risk of cancer occurring. The Smilow Screening & Prevention Program brings together doctors and researchers at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center who are focused on merging the best science with the best cancer prevention and screening programs. Our goal is to provide patients in Connecticut with the tools they need to stay healthy. Screening Our Program offers many different screening tests for cancer of many types. Cancer screening tests are for patients who do not have symptoms. The goal of these tests is to find cancer as early as possible, and before any symptoms appear. Some, but not all, cancer screening tests detect potential problems and allow the doctor to remove the suspicious tissue at the time of the screening. This is important as it means that patients are less likely to develop cancer later in life. Sometimes the screening test results in a finding that requires more follow-up testing. Cancer screening offers the most protection when it is done on a regular basis as recommended by physicians. Patients should consult with their primary care physicians to determine which tests they recommend based on factors including gender, age, family history, and possibly race or ethnicity. Prevention Our program offers information to help patients make choices that can maintain their health and potentially reduce their risk of cancer. It is usually not possible to know why one person develops cancer and another does not. Healthy choices help all people--whether they have a family history of cancer or not--reduce their risk of developing cancer and many other chronic diseases. Avoiding smoking or chewing tobacco, choosing a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, avoiding sitting for long periods, limiting alcohol, protecting skin and eyes from the sun and tanning beds are all key elements of healthy living. Following physician advice on regular cancer screening is also critical to long-term health. Types of cancer screening Click on the links below for more information on these specific cancer screening tests at Smilow Cancer Hospital: Lung Cancer Colorectal Cancer Breast Cancer Prostate Cancer Cervical Cancer Skin Cancer Head & Neck Cancer