Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide.

Every year, approximately 15,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide A high percentage of women diagnosed with cervical cancer this year will have had a Pap smear that failed to detect potential problems. A simple solution to this problem: PapSure®, a new, more reliable examination. The Women's Centers at both St. Luke Hospitals (Ft. Thomas and Florence) are now offering the new PapSure® exam that has been approved by the FDA and has been shown to find 50 percent more high-grade pre-cancerous lesions than a Pap smear alone.

The PapSure® exam is a two-part test that includes the traditional Pap Smear. Following that, a second procedure is conducted that allows your physician to gain a better view of your cervix. During the procedure the physician uses a small, disposable blue light and magnifying glass to examine the cervix. The blue light causes abnormal tissues to appear bright white, allowing your physician to better find abnormalities. These two procedures combined drastically increase the sensitivity of the cervical screening. By using the PapSure® direct visual examination your physician is better able to find abnormalities, including cervical cancer that the traditional Pap Smear could have missed.

Why PapSure® In clinical trials, PapSure® was found to detect cervical abnormalities 92 percent of the time. The PapSure® exam allows for a more thorough, accurate and immediate result that can better assure women that abnormality will be detected early. Early detection means early treatment. Cervical cancer is increasingly difficult to treat with time and progression; the early treatment leads to more positive treatment results. It is important to remember that not all abnormalities detected by PapSure® are necessarily cancerous. The results of your exam should be discussed fully with your physician.

PapSure® is widely approved by the medical community. The healthcare professionals at The Women's Centers at The St. Luke Hospitals have been specially trained to perform the PapSure® exam. The St. Luke Hospitals (Ft. Thomas and Florence) are the only hospitals in this area that offer this service. For more information about the PapSure® examination, please call The St. Luke Women's Center in Florence at 859-212-5125 or in Ft. Thomas at 859-572-3868.