Pap Smear News and Research

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The Pap test, also called a Pap smear, checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). The Pap test can tell if you have an infection, abnormal (unhealthy) cervical cells, or cervical cancer.

Out for blood? For routine lab work, the hospital billed her $2,400

Reesha Ahmed was on cloud nine. It was January and Ahmed was at an OB-GYN's office near her home in Venus, Texas, for her first prenatal checkup.

21 Nov 2023

Cervical cancer rates increasing in Appalachian Kentucky

While the overall incidence and death rates from cervical cancer have dropped in the U.S., the opposite has been occurring in Appalachian Kentucky – a steady increase. The death rate from cervical cancer in Appalachian Kentucky is now twice that of the national rate.

19 Oct 2023

TikTok can be a valuable tool for promoting cervical cancer screening

TikTok and other short-form video platforms are booming in popularity -; for entertainment and for sharing information, including health information.

5 Oct 2023

Myriad Genetics survey: Women have widespread confusion and misconceptions about ovarian cancer screening

Myriad Genetics, Inc., a leader in genetic testing and precision medicine, today revealed new nationwide survey results indicating widespread confusion and misconceptions about ovarian cancer screening among a majority of women.

7 Sep 2023

BGI Genomics report: Thailand needs to take urgent action to combat cervical cancer

Only 28.5% of Thai women are diagnosed at stage I of cervical cancer when survival rates are highest, according to a study published by the Mahidol University.

31 Jul 2023

New report highlights gaps in cervical cancer awareness in Brazil

With Brazil's National Cancer Institute estimating 17,010 new cases in 2023, cervical cancer is the third leading cause of morbidity among Brazil's female population.

31 Jul 2023

Uruguay needs to increase cervical cancer screening rates to reduce mortality, report reveals

Research from the Registro Nacional de Cáncer notes that Uruguay has the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in Latin America. In particular, cervical cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related morbidity among Uruguay's female population.

26 Jul 2023

AI-based population screening could expedite the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

An artificial intelligence tool has successfully identified people at the highest risk for pancreatic cancer up to three years before diagnosis using solely the patients' medical records, according to new research led by investigators at Harvard Medical School and the University of Copenhagen, in collaboration with VA Boston Healthcare System, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

8 May 2023

When malpractice occurs at community health centers, taxpayers pay

Silvia Garcia's 14-year-old son was left permanently disabled and in a wheelchair after a community health center doctor in New Mexico failed to diagnose his appendicitis despite his complaint of severe stomach pain.

28 Nov 2022

MUSC researcher identifies dramatic rise in cervical cancer incidence among women in early 30s

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researcher Ashish Deshmukh, Ph.D., identified a dramatic recent rise in cervical cancer incidence among women in their early 30s. This work was published Nov. 21 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

21 Nov 2022

Medical coding creates barriers to care for transgender patients

Last year, Tim Chevalier received the first of many coverage denials from his insurance company for the hair removal procedure he needed as part of a phalloplasty, the creation of a penis.

13 Sep 2022

The role of cellular or cytokine response and vaginal microbiome dysbiosis in the clearance, persistence, and recurrence of HPV infection

Researchers have reviewed the role of cytokine or cellular response and vaginal microbiome dysbiosis in the persistence, clearance, and recurrence of HPV infection

28 Jul 2022

Research finds many undetected cancer cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Research in the March 2022 issue of JNCCN-;Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network examined data from the Ontario Cancer Registry from September 25, 2016 through September 26, 2020, to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of new cancer cases detected.

14 Mar 2022

“Love Yourself” - Taking Charge of Your Fibroid Health

In this interview, we speak to Cynthia Bailey and Dr. Yan Katsnelson about the importance of spreading awareness surrounding fibroids.

9 Mar 2022

U-M researchers measure out-of-pocket costs for follow-up tests after free cancer screening

With the White House putting cancer prevention and early treatment squarely in the sights of its renewed Cancer Moonshot initiative, recent University of Michigan research offers insights that policymakers could use to ensure more cancers are diagnosed earlier and reduce inequalities.

15 Feb 2022

NCCN publishes new guidelines to help cervical cancer patients become more informed about care

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has published new NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Cervical Cancer to help people with cervical cancer become more informed, suggest what conversations to have with their doctor, and be active decision makers in their treatment.

13 Dec 2021

Patients could face hundreds of dollars in costs for follow-up tests after free cancer screening

Eleven years ago this month, the scans and exams that hold the most power to spot the early signs of cancer became available for free to many American adults.

3 Oct 2021

Study examines racial differences in receipt of cancer screenings among women

Women who do not receive recommended cancer screenings are at a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. But why is it that some women are more likely to receive cancer screenings than others?

22 Sep 2021

Pandemic disrupted the utilization of women’s preventive health services

The COVID-19 pandemic knocked many women off schedule for important health appointments, a new study finds, and many didn't get back on schedule even after clinics reopened. The effect may have been greatest in areas where such care is already likely falling behind experts' recommendations.

16 Jul 2021

WHO and HRP launch new guideline for screening and treatment of cervical cancer

Too many women worldwide – particularly the poorest women – continue to die from cervical cancer; a disease which is both preventable and treatable.

8 Jul 2021