Specimen Requirements

Specimen consists of 1 or 2 95% ETOH fixed smears.  (Air dried smears are also acceptable if no 95% ETOH is available. 

Collection:

1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of glass slide with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, and source (right or left breast) prior to obtaining smear.

2. Using cotton or gauze soaked with warm saline, soak nipple for 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Gently express only the nipple and subareolar area with thumb and forefinger.

4. Allow a pea-sized amount of discharge to accumulate on apex of nipple.

5. Place glass slide upon nipple and slide across quickly.

6. Fix slide immediately with a commercial brand spray fixative (do not use hairspray) or place slide into a container with 95% ethyl alcohol fixative (alcohol level must cover the specimen) before slide dries. Hold spray about 6 to 8 inches away from slide and spray until well covered. Allow slide to dry and place slide in a plastic slide holder.

7. Prepare as many slides as amount of material allows, later smears usually contain more abnormal cells.

8. Label holder/container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, and type of specimen.

9. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note:  1. If smears are prepared from both breasts, send each separately as individual specimens.

2. Please complete a request form and include the following:

A. Patient’s name (first and last)

B. Date of birth

C. Date of collection

D. Source of material

E. Physician’s name

F. Pertinent clinical information including unilateral or bilateral discharge findings and history of radiation or chemotherapy

3. Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.