Specimen Requirements

1. Gently compress nipple and subareolar area until a drop of fluid forms on the nipple tip. Avoid vigorous manipulation of the breast. If no fluid appears, breast should not be manipulated further in an attempt to collect specimen.
2. Spread fluid onto slide by inverting a second slide over first and apply gentle pressure.

3. Separate slides and fix immediately by dropping slide into a specimen slide jar of 95% ethanol before air drying of smear can occur.
4. Alternately, slide can be fixed by spraying with cytospray fixative. Hold spray fixative at least 6 inches above slide while spraying.
5. Allow slide to dry and place in a slide holder.

6. Transport to laboratory immediately.
Note:  1. Label frosted end of slide with patient’s name (first and last) and date of collection.
2. Label container (bottle/slide holder) with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number or date of birth, date and time of collection, and specimen source.

3. Please complete a “Surgical Pathology/Cytology Request Form,” including patient’s clinical history and diagnosis, and forward it with the specimen.