Georgios Papanikolaou

Georgios Papanikolaou was a Greek-born scientist who developed the Pap smear, a vital medical test for detecting early signs of cervical cancer. He realized that examining cells scraped from the cervix under a microscope could identify abnormal changes before symptoms appeared. His invention revolutionized women's health by enabling early diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer, significantly reducing mortality rates. Papanikolaou's work laid the foundation for cervical cancer screening programs worldwide, saving countless lives and advancing preventative healthcare.