E83: The Intellectual Domain of Pap Smears

Cervical cancer was once a leading cause of cancer-related death among American women, but since the mid-1970s, mortality rates have dropped by more than half—thanks to advances in prevention and early detection. The Pap smear, first introduced in the 1940s, remains one of the most effective tools in cancer prevention, built on decades of evolving science and research.

In the intellectual domain of Pap smears, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, explore what we know—and how we came to know it—about cervical cancer screening. They trace the history and ethics of modern guidelines, spotlight lesser-known figures behind key discoveries, and reflect on the knowledge that continues to shape patient care today.