How the smear test was invented
In 1928 Dr George Papanicolaou, a Greek immigrant living in New York, discovered he could detect pre-cancerous cell changes in the cervix. This led to the smear test.
In 1928 Dr George Papanicoloau, a Greek immigrant living in New York, discovered he could detect pre-cancerous cell changes in the cervix. This led to the development of the smear test which has meant millions of women worldwide have not had to face cancer.
Dr Papanicoloau's great niece Olga Stamatiou speaks to Laura Jones.
(Image shows Dr Papanicoloau examining a slide in a laboratory. Credit: Getty Images)
Last on
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Thu 7 Jul 202207:50GMTBBC World Service
- Thu 7 Jul 202217:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Thu 7 Jul 202221:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Fri 8 Jul 202202:50GMTBBC World Service
Featured in...
![]()
Health and wellbeing—Witness History
From fitness to friendship - ideas that changed the way we treat our bodies and minds
![]()
Inventions, technology and AI—Witness History
How groundbreaking ideas were brought to life
![]()
Scientific history—Witness History
Listen to and download our programmes
Podcast
![]()
Witness History
The story of our times, told by the people who were there
