A cancer breakthrough and the heroes behind get spotlight in new show

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The American Experience documentary 'The Cancer Detectives' on PBS explores the backstory of the Pap smear, a cervical cancer screening test. It highlights the discovery of the test by George Papanicolaou, the challenges faced by Black OB/GYN Helen Dickens and Japanese American illustrator Hashime Murayama, and the group of women committed to cancer prevention. The film showcases the hurdles they faced, including racism and sexism. The Pap smear has contributed to a more than 70 percent decrease in cervical cancer incidence in the United States since the 1950s. 'The Cancer Detectives' premieres on PBS stations on March 26 at 9 p.m. Eastern time and will stream on PBS.org.

#Cancer #PapSmear #Documentary #AmericanExperience #Pbs #CervicalCancer #GeorgePapanicolaou #HelenDickens #HashimeMurayama

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/03/24/cervical-cancer-pap-smear-papanicolaou/