Pap smears have been an industry standard for decades; they are an early detection for cervical cancer. It is a very sensitive exam which can cause women to show positive for cervical cancer but they are not actually infected. These women go through several more visits and painful experiences before learning that the test was indeed false.

The ABC medical news unit has reported that “for some women, however, the annual exam may one day become a thing of the past. DNA tests for the cancer-causing human papillomavirus, which are more likely to detect early forms of cancer, could eventually mean less-frequent visits to the doctor for pelvic exams.”

These tests will be more accurate and find more early warning signs of cancer. This will bring a much needed relief for women that are fighting cervical cancer and those who fear it might return or begin.