Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally and causes more than 300,000 deaths yearly. However, it can be cured efficiently if diagnosed and treated at an early stage. The first cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is responsible for the appearance of cancerous cells in the cervix.

The Pap Test is often used to detect the presence of any sign of HPV infection. A Pap Test is performed by collecting cells from the patient’s cervix. The collected cells are placed in a preserving liquid. Then, the cells are usually filtered with a machine and deposited on a slide before being examined under a microscope to look for abnormalities. The machines used to filter the cells are usually sophisticated and therefore very expensive, that’s why many laboratories cannot afford them.