Endocervical cells from a pap smear. Picture from Wikipedia.

Pap smears are used to diagnose cervical cancer in women. Cells from the cervix are collected and examined under a microscope for abnormalities. A new study suggests that it might be an even more useful procedure, with the ability to detect ovarian and uterine cancers as well. From the New York Times:

For the first time, researchers have found genetic material from uterine or ovarian cancers in Pap smears, meaning that it may become possible to detect three diseases with just one routine test.

But the research is early, years away from being used in medical practice, and there are caveats. The women studied were already known to have cancer, and while the Pap test found 100 percent of the uterine cancers, it detected only 41 percent of the ovarian cancers. And the approach has not yet been tried in women who appear healthy, to determine whether it can find early signs of uterine or ovarian cancer.

On the other hand, even a 41 percent detection rate would be better than the status quo in ovarian cancer, particularly if the detection extends to early stages. The disease is usually advanced by the time it is found, and survival rates are poor. About 22,280 new cases were expected in the United States in 2012, and 15,500 deaths. Improved tests are urgently needed.

There is still much more to work out. Can it detect early stage cancers? Are the signs present in women who haven’t already been diagnosed with cancer and appear healthy? Here’s hoping. More here.