Invention of Pap Smear Tests

I listened to an article today in which Dr George Papanicolaou's great niece talks about his invention of the Pap Smear test.

Dr Pap and his wife Mary emigrated from Greece to New York in 1913 and he eventually landed a job at Cornell University. During his research he discovered cancerous cells in a sample he had made on a glass slide and in 1928 the Pap Smear test was invented. Unfortunately, the medical community had no interest in this at the time and he was a timid man unable to push his case. But his wife Mary came to the rescue. To help with his research and provide evidence she had a Pap Smear done every day for 20 odd years and also supported him emotionally. Eventually, the medical community accepted his findings and the lives of millions of women have been saved ever since. What an exceptional couple!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/stories-62162624

@Dr_Philip

fascinating

@Dr_Philip Thanks -that was very interesting. I had wondered why they called it a “Pap” smear - but never bothered to look it up. Pioneers in science often go unnoticed!!

Every day for 20 years!!! 😵

I hate doing it once a year! (Though I know it's necessary)