What Doctors Want You to Know About Cervical Cancer Screening (Gift Article)

Cervical cancer is preventable, but thousands still die from it every year. While Pap smears are painful or traumatic for many people, they aren't the only — or even the preferred — screening option anymore! I wrote a guide. (The BEST way to prevent cervical cancer is the HPV vaccine, btw.)

This article includes helpful information, but I am questioning the photo choice. A health provider raises their gloved hand, about to examine a patient whose legs are spread open. This aspect of cervical cancer screening can be traumatic for some (&self collection is an option the article mentions)

What Doctors Want You to Know About Cervical Cancer Screening www.nytimes.com/2026/07/30/w...

Cervical cancer can be avoided with testing for precancerous cells and, even better, with vaccines to prevent HPV, which causes most of the cell abnormalities. Here's what to know as guidelines have changed and new testing options have become available. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/30/w...