The goal of screening for cervical cancer is to find cervix cell changes and early cervical
cancers before they cause symptoms. Screening refers to the use of tests and exams to
find a disease, such as cancer, in people who do not have any symptoms. Early detection
means applying a strategy that results in an earlier diagnosis of cervical cancer than
otherwise might have occurred. Screening tests offer the best chance to detect cervical
cancer at an early stage when successful treatment is likely. Screening can also actually
prevent most cervical cancers by finding abnormal cervix cell changes (pre-cancers) so
that they can be treated before they have a chance to turn into a cervical cancer.
Cancer of the cervix may be prevented or detected early by regular Pap tests. If it is
detected early, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable cancers. In the
United States, the cervical cancer death rate declined by almost 70% between 1955 and
1992, in large part due to the effectiveness of Pap smear screening. The death rate
continues to decline each year.
Despite the recognized benefits of Pap test screening, not all American women take
advantage of it. As of the year 2000, slightly over 80% of women had had a Pap test in
the previous 3 years. Asian-American women, recent immigrants, women without health
insurance, and women with fewer years of education were less likely to have had regular
Pap tests.
Between 60% and 80% of American women with newly diagnosed invasive cervical
cancer have not had a Pap smear in the past 5 years. Many of these women have never
had a Pap test.
Cervical cancer deaths are higher in populations around the world where women do not
have routine Pap tests. In fact, cervical cancer is the major cause of cancer deaths in
women in many developing countries. These women are usually diagnosed with an
invasive late stage, rather than as pre-cancers or early cancers.
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