Cervical cancer (CC) — one of the causes of health loss among Ukrainian women of reproductive age.
Every year in Ukraine: 4,756 new cases, 2,089 deaths.
Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most common oncological disease in women aged 15 to 44.
Services
Turnaround time (days): 2
Turnaround time (days): 3
Turnaround time (days): 3
Cervical cancer can be prevented — if screening is performed on time.
Evolution of cytological screening
The history of cytological screening begins with the discovery of Georgios Papanikolaou, who first drew attention to changes in cervical cells under a microscope. While observing the cells, he noticed that abnormal nuclei could be a sign of precancerous conditions — this is how the Pap test was born, which later saved millions of women around the world.
The largest cervical cancer prevention program has started in the USA. Within a few years, over 150,000 women were screened, and the Pap test became part of routine health care. From that point, cytological screening became one of the most effective tools for cancer prevention.
With the advent of liquid-based cytology (Liquid-Based Cytology, LBC), a new era of accuracy began. Cervical material started to be transferred into a special preservative solution, which makes it possible to:
- evenly distribute cells on the slide;
- remove mucus and blood;
- educes the number of non-informative results.
SurePath™ liquid-based cytology (Becton Dickinson, USA), approved by the FDA in 1999, has become the “gold standard” for screening in leading countries worldwide.
The European laboratory network Synevo introduced in Ukraine in October 2025 a new technology that combines liquid-based cytology and automated analysis using artificial intelligence (AI).
Based on the BD FocalPoint GS Imaging System (Becton Dickinson, USA):
- AI algorithms identify areas of possible abnormalities;
- a cytology expert performs verification;
- the patient receives dual expertise — AI + physician.
This is a new level of accuracy, reproducibility, and trust in the results.
What is a Cytology Passport, and how does it work
This is a comprehensive examination of the cervix that combines BD SurePath™ liquid-based cytology with BD Totalys SlidePrep and automated analysis using the BD FocalPoint™ GS Imaging System, followed by expert verification on the ZEISS Axioscope 5 microscope (Carl Zeiss, Germany). The system first analyzes the slide and highlights the most suspicious areas, after which a laboratory cytology specialist reviews them with high optical quality and produces a clear, structured report.
- Sample preparation in BD SurePath™
- Homogenization and purification
- Slide preparation (monolayer) — BD Totalys SlidePrep.
- Automated analysis — BD FocalPoint™ GS
- Expert verification on ZEISS Axioscope 5
- Ready Cytology Passport
Advantages of the Cytology Passport
Higher sensitivity to HSIL and cancer due to the combination of AI analysis technologies, ZEISS optics and a laboratory cytology specialist — fewer missed cases, greater confidence.
The number of “uncertain” (ASC-US) results decreases, allowing for proper determination of further monitoring tactics and reducing the number of unnecessary repeat visits.
Standardized quality: compliance with the Bethesda system and the principles of stepwise clinical management based on risk level (ASCCP).
Cytological Passport Methodology
Main stages
The material is immediately placed in a special fixing medium, which:
- preserves cell morphology,
- prevents their destruction and drying out,
- ensures uniform mixing and sample homogeneity.
The system thoroughly mixes the sample, removing mucus, blood, and foreign particles, ensuring a uniform cell suspension.
Automated application of cellular material onto the microscope slide in a single uniform layer ensures high visualization quality
- Scans the liquid-based cytology slide (BD SurePath™).
- Ranks slides by the likelihood of pathology.
- Identifies the 10 most suspicious Fields of View (FOV) — areas of the slide with the highest probability of atypia — for priority review.
- Simultaneously, the system performs directed quality control (Directed Quality Control, Directed QC), which allows automatic verification of the technical quality of the specimen and minimizes the risk of missing pathological cells.
- Expert verification using the ZEISS Axioscope 5 microscope. A laboratory specialist in cytology performs a detailed review of priority areas, confirms or rules out atypia, and takes into account background changes and potential artifacts.
- The final conclusion is formed by a laboratory specialist in cytological studies.
- The BD FocalPoint™ GS system is a diagnostic decision support tool — it does not replace a specialist and does not provide a diagnosis independently.
The focus is on the areas with the highest probability of HSIL/cancer; the combination of AI analysis and expert microscopy ensures a high-quality and reliable result.
The laboratory specialist in cytological studies works on the ZEISS Axioscope 5 microscope, which is integrated with the BD FocalPoint™ GS system. The specialist examines priority areas identified by the AI system using foot-controlled navigation, ensuring rapid movement between fields of view. They detail the cellular picture, mark atypia, background changes, exclude artifacts, and form the final conclusion. This combination of AI analysis and expert evaluation ensures high quality and reproducibility of cytological screening results.
Team of cytological research specialists
Cytology testing at Synevo is performed by 16 experienced certified experts who ensure the accuracy and reliability of results every day.
Interpretation of Cytology Passport results
The slide is prepared using BD SurePath™ technology (FDA approved) and automatically analyzed by the BD FocalPoint™ system using artificial intelligence to rank risk.
BD FocalPoint™ algorithm ranks slides by the probability of detecting pathology — from the highest to the lowest risk; this assessment influences the further review pathway.
The relative position of the slide in the digital slide flow is determined: the lower the risk, the higher the score. Alternatively, the percentage is a digital mark on the scale, where a high value indicates a low probability of pathology
The material is considered satisfactory if cells from the transformation zone or endocervical canal are successfully collected
The report indicates whether specific microorganisms are detected (e.g., Trichomonas, HSV, CMV).
Reflects the presence or absence of cellular changes not related to cervical pathology (inflammation, atrophy, regeneration).
Characterize inflammatory or regenerative processes; mild changes may be a normal variant.
Conclusion: squamous epithelial changes. Indicates the absence or presence of atypical changes (for example, ASC-US, LSIL, etc.).
Conclusion: glandular epithelial changes. It is assessed whether signs of involvement of the columnar epithelium are detected.
Classification according to the Bethesda 2024 system.
Conclusion formed based on double control: expert review by a laboratory cytology specialist and automated AI analysis by BD FocalPoint™. Complies with the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 1057 dated 18.06.2024.
Advantages of BD SurePath™, BD FocalPoint™, and ZEISS microscopes reflect the standard of cytology sample processing and analysis in the laboratory.
Cell photos — individual, obtained from the material of this specific client.
Clinical benefits
Compliance with Ukrainian protocols
In Ukraine, cervical cancer screening is carried out in accordance with the Order of the Ministry of Health dated 18.06.2024 No. 1057 and the National Strategy for the Control of Malignant Neoplasms until 2030 (CMU No. 730-r dated 02.08.2024), which предусматриває the implementation of modern methods of prevention, early detection and monitoring of oncological diseases.
Screening strategies (Order of the Ministry of Health No. 1057):
- Primary HPV screening with genotyping — once every 5 years, starting at age 25.
- Cytological screening (Pap test) — once every 3 years as an alternative if primary HPV screening is unavailable.
- Further management is determined based on the patient’s individual risks, not just repeat test results (according to ASCCP algorithms, targeting CIN2+/CIN3+).
Thus, the modern approach to cervical cancer screening in Ukraine integrates the international recommendations of WHO and ASCCP into the national system, ensuring a transition to risk-oriented, personalized prevention.
Co-testing — double confidence
Current international guidelines (FDA, ASCCP, Ministry of Health of Ukraine) indicate that the combination of liquid-based cytology and HPV testing is the most effective method for cervical cancer prevention.
Why is this important?- The PAP test shows the condition of the cells
- HPV testing detects the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer
Together, they provide the highest accuracy and allow changes to be detected even before symptoms appear.
Package No. 250 from Synevo is a ready-made solution
Turnaround time (days): 3
Turnaround time (days): 2
Turnaround time (days): 3
How to take the test
Choose the method that is convenient for you:
At a Synevo branch
- Pay for the service online or at the branch
- Come for sample collection
- The nurse will perform the procedure
- Receive a digital result with images of the cells online or at the branch.
At your doctor’s
- The doctor collects the material during the examination
- Deliver the sample to the Synevo laboratory
- Receive a digital result with images of the cells online or at the branch.
One sample — multiple results
From the sample you submitted to the laboratory, additional services can be ordered through the Information Service if needed: 0 800 605 500, without a repeated collection, the following services:
Turnaround time (days): 2
Turnaround time (days): 3