An investigation has been launched into reports of missed cervical cancer that didn’t show up on a Pap smear exam. Some women allege their care providers missed cervical cancer when looking over the initial results of their Pap smear exam, and are filing legal action against the medical labs that allegedly failed to identify the results accurately.

Before Pap smear tests, cervical cancer was one of the most common causes of death for women in the United States. When the Pap smear was introduced, it provided a revolutionary way for healthcare professionals to accurately test for presence of cervical cancer or other potential gynecologic problems.

For over 60 years, Pap smear tests have been used to detect early and even pre-cancerous cells and initiate prompt treatment.

Overview of Pap Smear Tests and Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable but fastest-spreading cancers in the United States. It can easily be detected using modern Pap smear exams. These convenient gynecological medical exams work by collecting cervix cells, which are then examined under a microscope to look for any signs of cancer or other abnormalities. If the Pap smear exam shows any signs of cancer, patients may have to undergo procedures to collect cervical tissues including: colposcopy (with biopsy), endocervical scraping, and cone biopsies. Once signs of cervical cancers are detected, the patient will be typically prescribed treatments and procedures to eliminate the risk. While early stage cervical cancer is very treatable, late stage diagnosis is much more devastating and often compromises the patient’s reproductive system.Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers young women in the United States can face, with the American Cancer Society estimating that 13,240 cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2018 and that 4,170 women will die from the disease in the same year. This makes the need for modern Pap smear exams all the more prevalent, as they are vital medical tools in preventing this disease.Because of this, the rate for cervical cancer rates has greatly diminished in the United States but these recent allegations have the medical community worried. When Pap smear tests work properly, the risk of missed cervical cancer should almost be completely eliminated. However, this has not been the case for several women, including one Florida woman who died from allegedly missed cervical cancer in 2011. The woman had reportedly received a faulty Pap smear result, which allowed her cancer to aggressively spread and eventually kill her. The woman’s husband filed legal action against the medical lab, alleging it should have been able to give an accurate read on the state of his wife’s health. The man and the rest of her family were ultimately awarded $15.8 million in damages, after the jury agreed the medical lab was negligent.This victory has encouraged other women and their loved ones to come forward, to file their own claims alleging damages from missed cervical cancer.