Cervical Cancer Case Highlights Limits of Pap Test Accuracy in Serbia

Maja Nikolić, a Serbian woman, regularly attended gynecological exams and received normal PAP test results, yet later was diagnosed with stage III cervical cancer. The case raised concern about the reliability of PAP testing. Dr. Filip Katanić explained that while the PAP test is a crucial screening tool, it is not infallible: “PAP test je izuzetno važan, ali nije nepogrešiv.” False‑negative results can occur, especially when abnormal cells lie deeper in the cervical canal, a region not sampled by the test. Accurate diagnosis therefore often requires colposcopy, biopsy, and histopathological analysis. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive screening and awareness that a clean PAP result does not guarantee the absence of disease.