THE CANCER DETECTIVES | Chapter 1 | American Experience | PBS

The story of how the life-saving cervical cancer test became an ordinary part of women’s lives is as unusual and remarkable as the coalition of people who ultimately made it possible: a Greek immigrant, Dr. George Papanicolau; his intrepid wife, Mary; Japanese-born artist Hashime Murayama; Dr. Helen Dickens, an African American OBGYN in Philadelphia; and an entirely new class of female scientists known as cyto-screeners.

But the test was just the beginning. Once the test proved effective, the campaign to make pap smears available to millions of women required nothing short of a total national mobilization. THE CANCER DETECTIVES tells the untold story of the first-ever war on cancer and the people who fought tirelessly to save women from what was once their number one cancer killer.

🔬 Watch an extended preview of THE CANCER DETECTIVES and don't miss the premiere on Tuesday, March 26th at 9/8c on @PBS, YouTube and the PBS App.

#CancerDetectivesPBS

[longwayaround]

PAP smears saved my life. My first cancerous PAP was at age 22. One-third of my cervix was surgically removed. Age 27 and it's back again. Second two-thirds of my cervix was removed. At 30 I had my daughter. Age 33 and it's back again. I had a partial hysterectomy. I'm now 66. I wouldn't have lived this long if not for PAP smears. Ladies, please get your annual PAP smear done.

[matthew-jyjp]

PBS is our national treasure. Thank you

[jebule]

PBS you guys have done it again! This looks excellent. I can't wait to watch the whole documentary on March 26th! 🎉