Month: March 2012

Study: Pap Reduces Cervical Cancer Deaths

Women who have regular Pap smears are less likely to die of cervical cancer if they ever develop it, new research finds. The Pap smear removes a bit of tissue from the cervix. The sample is examined under a microscope. Any precancerous cells found can be removed before they become cancer. The study found that women who do have cancer are also less likely to die if it is diagnosed after a routine Pap smear, rather than after symptoms develop. The study focused on more than 1,200 Swedish women. They were diagnosed with cervical cancer between 1999 and 2001. The researchers found that 92% of those who had regular Pap smears were cured. The cure rate was 66% for women diagnosed after they had symptoms. With cervical cancer, symptoms occur after the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Women who had Pap tests, but not as often as recommended, also were more likely to die.

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