Warning: This report contains accounts of sexual assault and violence that some readers may find distressing. Ramia was preparing for a family picnic, on a warm summer day in her village in Latakia province in western Syria, when a white car drove up, she said
Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here in the national capital. Pichai is here for the Global AI Impact Summit 2026 and will deliver the keynote address on February 20 at the summit. New Delhi: Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra
The back-and-forth between the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association has taken another turn. On Tuesday afternoon, the WNBPA submitted a new counterproposal, only to have it shot down yet again by the league, as negotiations intensify ahead of the new season
The leadership has made it clear that performance and public perception will be key criteria in deciding nominations The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing for a major organisational overhaul in Assam ahead of the assembly elections
An avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe region has left 10 backcountry skiers missing, authorities say, with six more people stranded and awaiting rescue. The avalanche was reported about 11:30PST (19:30GMT) in the Castle Peak area near the town of Truckee
Political and strategic considerations will overshadow economic ones in the choices that countries make going forward, Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar said on Tuesday (February 17, 2026). Speaking at the Global Economic Cooperation 2026 summit organised by the Future Economic Cooperation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met with Spanish President Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón at Hyderabad House in New Delhi amid high-level engagements at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026. The meeting between the two leaders followed President Sanchez’s arrival in the national
Warner Bros Discovery is in talks with Paramount Skydance Corp. for a potential takeover. The Ellison family's bid has seen a slight increase. Warner boss David Zaslav is negotiating to secure the best possible deal for shareholders. Paramount needs to address remaining concerns to surpass
Expert Clears Myths That Are Stopping Women From Taking The Pap Smear Test
Expert Clears Myths That Are Stopping Women From Taking The Pap Smear Test
Cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women, yet it is also one of the most preventable. A simple test known as a Pap smear is the most reliable screening tool for early detection. Despite this, a significant number of women continue to delay or completely avoid this potentially life-saving procedure.
Fear, misinformation, and long-standing myths are among the primary reasons women hesitate to undergo Pap smear screening. Clearing these misconceptions is crucial, as regular screening helps detect pre-cancerous changes in cervical cells, changes that can be effectively treated before cancer develops.
Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas, Chairman, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Onco Robotic Surgeries, Northwest Cluster, Manipal Hospitals, explains why Pap smears are essential and addresses the myths that often prevent women from getting tested on time.
Why Women Avoid Pap Smears
A Pap smear is a quick and simple procedure in which a small sample of cells is collected from the cervix and examined in a laboratory. The test helps detect infections, pre-cancerous changes, and early-stage cervical cancer, when treatment is most effective.
One of the most common reasons women avoid Pap smears is the absence of symptoms. Many believe that if they do not experience vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or discomfort, screening is unnecessary. Lack of awareness about the importance of routine screening, combined with busy schedules and fear of the procedure, further contributes to low participation rates.
Common Myths About Pap Smears and the Truth
Several misconceptions continue to discourage women from undergoing screening, often leading to delayed diagnosis.
Myth 1: “I don't have symptoms, so I don't need a Pap smear."
This is one of the most widespread and dangerous myths. Screening tests are specifically designed for healthy individuals who show no symptoms. The Pap smear, being a screening test, is recommended for all sexually active women from the age of 21 up to 65 years.
Early-stage cervical cancer often presents no symptoms. By the time signs such as irregular bleeding or pelvic pain appear, the disease may already be advanced. Pap smears help detect pre-cancerous changes early, long before symptoms develop.
Myth 2: “Pap smears are only for older women."
Pap smears are recommended starting in a woman's early twenties. Changes in cervical cells can occur years before cancer develops. Early and regular screening allows these changes to be detected and treated when they are still minor and easily manageable.
Myth 3: “The test is painful and embarrassing."
While a Pap smear may cause mild discomfort, it is not painful and takes only a few minutes to complete. The procedure is performed respectfully and gently by trained healthcare professionals during a routine gynaecological examination, usually on an outpatient basis. Any brief discomfort is insignificant compared to the long-term benefit of cancer prevention.
Myth 4: “I'm married, so I don't need screening."
Cervical cancer is strongly linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can remain dormant in the body for many years. Being married or in a monogamous relationship does not eliminate the risk of HPV infection. Screening is a preventive health measure and is not related to lifestyle choices.
Myth 5: “HPV vaccination means I don't need Pap smears."
While the HPV vaccine provides strong protection especially when administered during adolescence, it does not protect against all HPV strains that can cause cervical cancer. Therefore, even vaccinated women must continue to undergo regular Pap smear screening.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If a Pap smear reveals abnormal results, additional tests such as HPV testing, colposcopy, or a biopsy may be recommended to determine whether the cells are pre-cancerous or cancerous. Treatment for cervical cancer may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these, depending on the stage of the disease.
The Cost of Delayed Screening
Persistent misconceptions about Pap smears contribute to dangerous delays in diagnosis. When women avoid screening due to fear, embarrassment, or misinformation, early cervical changes often highly treatable can go undetected and progress into cancer. These delays are a key reason cervical cancer is still frequently diagnosed at advanced stages.
Overcoming these myths and encouraging regular screening can save lives. Awareness, education, and timely action remain the strongest tools in preventing cervical cancer.
Source: News18
Related Posts: BSE, MCX, Angel One, Groww Shares Drop Up To 10% One-Sided, Hurried and High-Risk How women are reinterpreting menstrual taboos in Buddhist texts DYK Europeans Drink Alcohol Regularly Yet Have Lower Fatty Liver Rates Than Indian Teetotalers Pratika Rawal Added To India Women Squad For Australia ODIs Solar Eclipse Effects On Pregnant Women Semmalar Annam says her ‘Mayilaa’ embodies the quiet resilience of women Everyday Cotton Tank Tops for Women on Amazon Misinformation is widespread among young Indians India among key hubs for AI innovation
For the fourth time in less than two weeks, a sea of red and blue descended on the Wankhede Stadium. And it turned out to be a case of fourth-time lucky for Nepal as it ended its T20 World Cup sojourn by gifting the 19,000-odd fans a much-anticipated win against Scotland
1 days ago
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said his net worth is almost entirely due to... New Delhi: Even as Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is another step towards becoming the world’s first trillionaire, the US entrepreneur said that the actual amount of cash he is sitting on is much lesser
1 days ago
One of the biggest changes is the renumbering of several commonly used tax documents, including salary and tax-credit statements used by millions of taxpayers. New Delhi: The government has proposed major changes to income-tax compliance forms under the Income-tax Act, 2025
1 days ago
Pakistan's water crisis to worsen with approaching summers as India plans to halt excess Ravi river water flow to Pakistan with the completion of Shahpur Kandi barrage. Pakistan’s water crisis is deepening amid the Indus Waters Treaty suspension and is not going to end soon
1 days ago
A clip circulating on X (formerly Twitter) has once again brought attention to an old but persistent exam-time practice where students slip currency notes inside answer sheets during board exams. Though authorities have repeatedly warned against it and tightened monitoring
1 days ago
Vikrant Massey and Sheetal Thakur had been together for several years, officially registered their marriage on February 14, 2022, before hosting a traditional wedding ceremony on February 18, of the same year. New Delhi: Actor Vikrant Massey marked his fourth wedding anniversary with wife Sheetal
1 days ago
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron met Bollywood stars in Mumbai, the delegation will travel to Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Mumbai: Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej met French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron in Mumbai on Tuesday
1 days ago
The United States has significantly increased its military presence in West Asia, deploying dozens of fighter jets to the region amid rising tensions with Iran and ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva. The developments come alongside strong warnings from Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah
1 days ago
After a relatively chaotic first day on Monday (February 16, 2026), the AI Impact Summit saw smoother operations on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), with more areas opened to attendees and fewer surges of crowding, even as turnout remained strong. Students bused in from local colleges, schools
1 days ago
A widespread YouTube outage on Tuesday disrupted video access worldwide, including India and the US. YouTube suffered a widespread outage on Tuesday, halting video access for users across multiple countries, including India and the United States
1 days ago
Tech giant Microsoft on Wednesday announced at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi that the company is on pace to invest $50 billion by the end of the decade to help the Global South access artificial intelligence (AI)."Our five-part program is designed to make AI diffusion real at scale
1 days ago
A massive wildfire emergency has unfolded across the US Plains. In the northwestern part of Oklahoma, a fast-moving fire on the southwest side of Woodward forced evacuations on Tuesday. Wind gusts near 60 mph pushed flames through the red cedar-filled neighbourhoods
1 days ago
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday claimed that then Congress president Sonia Gandhi had asked him to decide on the date for his swearing in as CM when 58 party MLAs had supported him back in 2014. Sharing what he called his “days of distress" in the Congress
1 days ago
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called the AI Summit a disorganized PR spectacle. He alleged that Chinese products were displayed at the event. This comes amid controversy over a robotic dog at the summit. Critics claim it was a Chinese-made product, not an Indian innovation
1 days ago
The Delhi Traffic Police has launched a dedicated ‘Digital Lok Adalat’ system to make the traffic challan settlement easier for the citizens, making the process quicker and more convenient. This initiative, introduced in collaboration with the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) and
1 days ago
India is discussing age-based restrictions with social media companies, IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Tuesday, following moves by Australia and other countries to ban young teens from popular platforms. Vaishnaw, speaking at a global artificial intelligence conference in New Delhi
1 days ago
Gold Rate Today: Gold retreats from record highs as 24K prices fall and futures dip on MCX. Check today’s city-wise rates and expert insights. Gold Rate Today: Gold prices have taken a breather after scaling record highs, with fresh data showing a noticeable dip in both domestic and global
1 days ago
A new leak has offered a closer look at the upcoming Infinix GT 50 Pro, pointing to design changes and hardware upgrades over last year’s gaming-focused model. The smartphone, from Infinix, has surfaced in alleged renders alongside a detailed specification sheet shared by tipsters online
1 days ago
Nissan Gravite vs Maruti Suzuki Ertiga: The Gravite’s smaller engine may feel underpowered, particularly when the car is loaded with seven people and luggage. In contrast, the Ertiga’s larger engine make it more practical for real-world family use and long-distance driving
1 days ago
Ameesha Patel has been issued a non-bailable warrant by a Moradabad court in connection with a 2017 fraud case, she is accused of accepting money for a wedding performance and issuing a cheque that later bounced. Legal trouble has resurfaced for Ameesha Patel as a Moradabad court issued a
1 days ago
The Ministry of Education on Tuesday organised a special session titled “Ministry of Education – Pushing the Frontier of AI in India" at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi as part of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the session
1 days ago
The reactor involved was Ward 250, which belongs to a new class of compact microreactors. Washington: The United States has carried out an operation that has drawn global attention in the field of advanced energy technology. A nuclear reactor moved through the sky
1 days ago
Beyond the mines: Archaeologists uncover a massive 3,000-year-old gold processing city in Egypt’s Eastern Desert. Discover the ancient smelting furnaces, residential districts, and the 628 'Ostraca' library fragments rewriting history.Beyond the mines: Archaeologists uncover a massive 3
1 days ago
Even as debate around AI intensifies across industries, concerns about the technology are also growing. In an interview with CNN-News18 at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales discusses artificial intelligence, misinformation risks, open-source innovation
1 days ago
PAK vs NAM live streaming, match time, broadcasters and weather update as Pakistan fight for Super 8 qualification. Pakistan face Namibia in a high-stakes ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash on February 18 at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, with Super 8 qualification hanging in the balance
1 days ago
Salim Khan Health Updates: On Tuesday night, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was seen leaving the Lilavati Hospital where his 90-year-old father and veteran screenwriter Salim Khan has been admitted following complaints of swelling. The actor stepped out of the hospital premises late at night and
1 days ago
New Delhi: Massive traffic congestion hit several parts of the national capital as global leaders arrived for the high level AI summit. New Delhi: Heavy traffic congestion was reported across several key routes in the national capital as global leaders arrived to attend the high-profile AI summit
1 days ago
