Cervical cancer is typically diagnosed through a pap smear. A pap smear is the primary screening test for cervical cancer. It can also be diagnosed by an OB-Gyn through a physical examination and when abnormalities are noted through a colposcopy. Pap smears are typically read by large laboratories who utilize cytotechnologists, who are not medical doctors, to screen pap smears. The screening of the pap smears is the subject of extensive federal regulation known as CLIO. Because cytotechnologists at large laboratories review large numbers of pathology slides and they are not medical doctors, there are incidences of error in reading pap smears, i.e., failing to note abnormal cells or cancer on the pap smear slides. This can allow the cancer to progress from a stage where it can be treated by a cone biopsy, LEEP procedure, or by surgery such as a hysterectomy. In a later stage, extensive radiation and chemotherapy may be required which can lead to serious and permanent health conditions such as radiation cystitis, radiation proctitis, radiation-induced gastrointestinal reflux disease, and death. In addition, because cervical cancer is typically a slow-moving cancer, many times in the later stages, cervical cancer is evident during a physical examination by an OB-Gyn. The failure to timely diagnose cervical cancer in rare cases can even lead to death.

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