The gynecological Pap test

The gynecologic pap test is one of the most successful tests ever developed for reducing the incidence of cancer of the uterine cervix. Despite this undisputed fact, cervical cancer is still present in unacceptably high numbers in the United States. A review of the gynecologic Pap test is presented. Data show that the high incidence of cervical cancer in the US is attributed mostly to failure on the part of the client, with smaller but significant failures on the parts of the healthcare provider and medical laboratory. The only way to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer is to increase the screening rate of patients at risk.