Specimen Requirements

Label one or two glass slides (in pencil) with patient's name and birthdate. Have patient hold an open bottle of 95% ETOH fixative below breast. Gently massage breast. Allow pea-sized drop to accumulate. Support areola and nipple with one hand. With other hand, place slide upon nipple, touching drop, then draw slide quickly across nipple. IMMEDIATELTY drop slide into bottle of fixative. Repeat if another drop accumulates.

A less than optimal smear is one allowed to dry prior to fixation.