Fact Check: Does Pap Smear Damage the Cervix?

An Instagram post claims that pap smear damages the cervix. The claim is False.

Claim

The Instagram post claims that "pap smear damages the cervix". The Instagram user dr.naturalhealing posted a reel which features featuring Barbara O’Neill, an Australian alternative healthcare promoter known for advocating unsupported health practices. In the reel, she can be seen lecturing about the pap smear, she says, "Please don't have a Pap smear. Everytime you have a pap smear, you're damaging the cervix."

The post can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is False. Pap smears help detect early signs of cervical cancer and are an important part of routine health checks. Though briefly uncomfortable for some, they do not cause any harm to the cervix.

What is cervix?

The cervix is a small, muscular part of the female reproductive system that connects the uterus (womb) to the vagina (birth canal). Although it’s often described as cylinder-shaped, its front and back walls usually touch each other, making it appear flatter. On average, the cervix is about 4 cm long and 3 cm wide.

The cervix has two main parts:

1. The lower part (called the intravaginal part) sits at the top of the vagina and can be seen during a medical exam.

2. The upper part lies above the vagina, inside the pelvis or lower abdomen.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide.

The main cause of cervical cancer is a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). Some types of HPV, called high-risk HPV, can cause changes in the cells of the cervix. If these changes are not found and treated in time, they can turn into cancer.

Doctors use HPV tests and Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer: The HPV test checks if you have the virus and the Pap smear looks for abnormal cells in the cervix.

Cervical cancer can often be prevented. The best ways to lower your risk are getting regular screenings to catch any changes early, getting the HPV vaccine, which has been available since 2006. It protects against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers.

What is a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a simple and important test used to check for early signs of cervical cancer in women. During the test, a doctor gently collects cells from the cervix—the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. These cells are then looked at under a microscope to see if there are any changes that might lead to cancer.

The Pap smear was developed by Dr. George Papanicolaou and has become the standard method for cervical cancer screening. It helps detect problems early, often before any symptoms appear, making treatment more effective.

Is Pap Smear a recommended screening method for cervical cancer?

Yes, pap smear is the recommended screening method for cervical cancer, and it is also the widely used method around the world for the diagnosis of cervical cancer.

According to WHO, "In high resource settings, cytology (pap smear) is the most widely used screening test for cervical cancer" 

Additionally, UNICEF recommended having the pap smear done for the diagnosis of HPV and cervical cancer.

Does Pap Smear Damage the Cervix?

A pap smear is a simple and important test used to detect early signs of cervical cancer in women. While some studies have highlighted the importance of Pap smears in early detection and noted that some women may feel mild discomfort during the procedure, there is no medical consensus or scientific evidence supporting the claim that Pap smears cause damage to the cervix.

A study published in the International Journal of Cancer have mentioned that pap smears may cause short-term symptoms in women, including lower abdominal pain, urinary discomfort, feeling dizzy, feeling sick, and/or painful sexual activity. But, there is no evidence that pap smears cause any damage to the cervix. 

Another review article published in Heliyon noted that women reported experiencing pain during the Pap smear procedure, primarily due to the use of a speculum—a device used to visualize internal structures like the vagina. But, the review did not indicate that Pap smears cause any harm to the cervix.

Several studies have emphasized the importance of Pap smears in cervical cancer screening. One such study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care highlighted that pap smear is a simple, affordable, non-invasive, and easy-to-use method for early detection of precancerous lesions, recommending its use for all women aged 25–30 and above for cervical screening.

Another study published in the International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences indicated that the incidence of invasive cervical cancer can be prevented through the effective implementation of pap smear screening programs in the target population.

Yet one more study published in the Journal of Medical Sciences and Health has highlighted that pap smear screening aids in identifying potentially precancerous lesions and infections, thereby facilitating timely medical intervention.

Research has shown that Pap smears may lead to short-term symptoms in some women, such as lower abdominal pain, urinary discomfort, dizziness, nausea, and pain caused by the speculum. However, numerous studies also emphasize the significance of Pap smears in cervical cancer screening and early detection of precancerous lesions. Importantly, no scientific evidence suggests that Pap smears damage the cervix, nor is there any consensus within the medical community supporting such a claim.

Dr Pratiksha Gupta, Professor, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, ESIC Hospital, told Medical Dialogues, "Pap smears are a routine part of women’s health screening and are designed to detect early changes in cervical cells. While the procedure might be briefly uncomfortable for some, it does not harm or damage the cervix. The purpose is prevention, and the benefits of regular screening far outweigh the temporary discomfort. Pap smear and Mammography are both best screening tools for cervical and breast cancer detection. Both tests are safe and without any harmful effect and discomfort. They both detect cancers in very early stage and they can be treated at early stage with cure."

Dr Upasana Palo, MBBS, MS (OB/GYN), DNB(OB/GYN), MRCOG (UK), DrNB (Gynecologic Oncology), added, "Pap smear test is a form of screening test which screens for cervical cancer by examining cells collected from the cervix for abnormalities or infections, such as those caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). The primary purpose of a Pap smear is to detect cervical cancer and precancerous changes in the cervix, allowing for early intervention and potentially preventing the progression of these changes into cancer. A small sample of cells is collected from the cervix using a small brush, and these cells are then examined under a microscope. This doesn't cause any form of damage to the cervix."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

Pap smears are a simple and important tool for early detection of cervical cancer. While some women may experience mild, short-term discomfort during the procedure, it does not harm or damage the cervix. Regular screening remains a key step in protecting women’s health and preventing serious cervical issues before they develop.

Hence the claim that pap smear damage the cervix is False.