Smear Test News and Research

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Clinical study confirms women's symptoms are de-prioritized in healthcare

Women have described being dismissed, disbelieved and left in serious pain during a routine womb examination that affects tens of thousands every year.

21 Apr 2026

Self-collected HPV tests match clinical screening

New data shows universal access to self-collected HPV testing boosts cervical cancer screening uptake, especially among underserved populations in Australia.

4 Feb 2026

New federal guidelines shift cervical cancer screening to HPV testing

New cervical cancer screening guidelines emphasize self-collection and hrHPV testing, aiming to increase screening rates and improve women's health outcomes.

8 Jan 2026

Self-sampling kits in GP visits boost cervical cancer screening

Women who are overdue for cervical cancer screening are most likely to participate in screening when a self-sampling kit is offered by a healthcare professional as part of routine GP appointments, according to a new study led by Queen Mary University of London with King's College London.

29 Jul 2025

Older women face increased risk of HPV-related cervical cancer

Women aged 65 and above are still at heightened risk of cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), suggest the findings of a large observational study published in the open access journal Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Medicine.

2 Jul 2025

Self-sampling could reduce disparities in cervical screening

New research from University of Manchester experts suggests that introducing a UK-wide self-sampling program alongside existing ‘smear tests’ could help to remove most of the current barriers to cervical screening.

11 Mar 2025

A Discussion with Hologic’s Tim Simpson on the Future of Cervical Cancer Screening

Hologic’s Tim Simpson Discusses the Future of Cervical Cancer Screening.

From Hologic, Inc. 1 Aug 2024

New study aims to help physically disabled people gain better access to cervical screening

A team of researchers led by Keele University - comprising psychologists, GPs, and nurses - are leading a new study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research to help physically disabled women and people with a cervix gain better access to cervical screening, in a bid to reduce cervical cancer.

27 Mar 2023

Study finds alarming number of older women facing late-stage cervical cancer diagnoses and death

A new study conducted by UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers shows an alarming number of California women 65 and older are facing late-stage cervical cancer diagnoses and dying from the disease.

9 Jan 2023

AI-based approach may allow EKGs to be used for detecting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

An approach based on artificial intelligence may allow EKGs to be used to screen for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the future.

18 Feb 2020

Self-sampling could increase detection of cervical pre-cancer

A non-invasive test to detect cervical pre-cancer could increase participation rates in cervical cancer screening programs.

4 Nov 2019

Novel viral vector improves gene therapy for sickle cell disease

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have developed a unique, improved lentiviral vector for use in gene therapy for sickle cell disease.

3 Oct 2019

Urine testing just as good as smear test in preventing cervical cancer

Urine testing may be as effective as the smear test at preventing cervical cancer, according to new research by University of Manchester scientists.

29 Apr 2019

Developing a Cervical Cancer Test That’s 100% Predictive

An interview with Professor Attila Lorincz, discussing the development of a new cervical cancer test that is able to predict cervical cancer and pre-cancer in 100% cases.

4 Feb 2019

Young women skipping the Pap smear test due to embarrassment

The Pap smear test is one of the easiest ways to screen young women for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer kills thousands of women and if detected early can be treated successfully. A new problem has arisen however with the smear test. Many young women are embarrassed about getting a Pap smear test routinely to screen against cervical cancer.

22 Jan 2019