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Using artificial intelligence language models to answer common patient queries about cervical cancer screening
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Received: ,
Accepted: ,
How to cite this article: Umashankar SV. Using artificial intelligence language models to answer common patient queries about cervical cancer screening. South Asian J Cancer. 2026;15:198-201. doi: 10.25259/SAJC_1_2026
Dear Editor,
Cancer is among the leading causes of mortality, with viral infections contributing 15-20% of all human cancers.[1] Cervical cancer continues to remain the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death and the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide.[2] The leading etiological factor in cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.[2] Nonetheless, in developing countries, HPV infection rates continue unabated. Low socioeconomic status, lack of population awareness, and inadequately implemented screening and vaccine programs may be the contributing factors.[1] To address this issue, a multifaceted approach with improvement in access to care and improvements in treatment should be done alongside primary and secondary prevention.[3] This letter aims to provide a critical perspective on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) language models in patient education, rather than present original research data.
A division of AI language models includes generative AI, such as ChatGPT, which creates new data built on patterns and structures learned from existing data.[4] ChatGPT has rapidly become a worldwide trend, providing well-structured responses to diverse queries. However, its use in clinical practice is yet to be evaluated due to a lack of studies.[5] To explore this, I initiated a conversation with ChatGPT with some common patient queries about cervical cancer screening. Table 1 provides illustrative examples of ChatGPT responses to common patient queries about cervical cancer screening, highlighting its potential role in patient education.
| Patient questions | ChatGPT response | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| What is a Pap smear? | A Pap smear (also called a Pap test) is a medical procedure used to screen for cervical cancer in women. It helps detect abnormal cells on the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina) that may develop into cancer if left untreated. How it works: During the procedure:
What it detects:
Who should get it:
Why it’s important: Regular Pap smears can catch early signs of cervical cancer, when treatment is most effective, often before any symptoms appear. Let me know if you want to know about the difference between a Pap smear and an HPV test, or how to prepare for one. |
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| When should I start getting Pap smears? | You should typically start getting Pap smears at age 21, regardless of when you became sexually active. Here's a general guideline:
Special situations: You may need more frequent Pap smears if you:
Let me know if you'd like help understanding HPV or what to expect during your first Pap smear. |
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| What is the difference between a Pap smear and an HPV test? |
Great question! While both the Pap smear and the HPV test are used to screen for cervical cancer, they look for different things and may be used together or separately, depending on your age and health history. Pap smear (Pap test)
HPV test
Summary of differences |
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| Feature | Pap smear | HPV test | |
| Detects | Abnormal cervical cells | High-risk HPV virus | |
| Main purpose | Identify early signs of cancer | Identify the risk of developing cancer | |
| Age group | Starts at age 21 | Usually starts at age 30 | |
| Frequency | Every 3 years (if normal) | Every 5 years (if normal) | |
| Can be combined? | — | Yes, often combined with the Pap test | |
| Let me know if you want to talk about HPV vaccines, how to prepare for the tests, or what results might mean. |
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| Is it harmful if I skip screening? | Yes, skipping cervical screening (like the Pap smear or HPV test) can be harmful, because it increases your risk of not detecting cervical cancer early — when it’s easiest to treat and cure. Here's why skipping screening is risky: 1. Cervical cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages • ou might feel completely fine even if abnormal cells are developing. • By the time symptoms appear (like bleeding or pelvic pain), the cancer may be more advanced. 2. HPV is common and often silent • Most cervical cancers are caused by high-risk HPV types. • HPV infections usually don't cause symptoms, but some persist and lead to precancerous changes. 3. Early detection = highly treatable • When abnormal cells or early-stage cancer are found, treatment is very effective. • If left untreated, those cells can progress to invasive cancer over time. Regular screening helps: • Catch problems before they turn into cancer • Reduce your lifetime risk of cervical cancer • Provide peace of mind if results are normal When skipping might be okay (with a doctor’s guidance): • You're over 65 with a long history of normal results • You've had a total hysterectomy for non-cancer reasons • You're in a low-risk group, as determined by your doctor Let me know if you want help understanding how often you need screening based on your history, or if you'd like a checklist for what to expect during the test. |
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| Do I need screening if I have had the HPV vaccine? | Yes, even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine, you still need regular cervical cancer screening (Pap smears and/or HPV tests). Why? 1. The HPV vaccine doesn’t cover all cancer-causing HPV types • The most common vaccines (like Gardasil 9) protect against 9 types of HPV, including types 16 and 18, which cause most cervical cancers. • But there are other high-risk HPV types that the vaccine doesn’t cover. • So there’s still a small chance of developing abnormal cervical cells. 2. The vaccine is preventive, not a treatment • It doesn’t clear an existing infection or treat abnormal cells if they already exist. • If you were already exposed to HPV before getting vaccinated, the vaccine won’t reverse that. 3. Screening finds problems early — even if you’re low risk • Even vaccinated people can have other risk factors (like smoking, immune issues, or early sexual activity) that increase the chance of cervical changes. Summary |
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| HPV vaccine | Still need screening? | Why? | |
| Yes | Yes | Vaccine doesn't cover all HPV types; screening catches issues early | |
| Screening schedule (if vaccinated): • Ages 21–29: Pap smear every 3 years • Ages 30–65: Pap smear every 3 years, or HPV test (or co-test) every 5 years Let me know if you’d like to go over your personal risk factors or help plan when to get screened next. |
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AI: Artificial intelligence, HPV: Human papillomavirus, DES: Diethylstilbestrol.
Based on the interaction, ChatGPT offered well-formulated responses in simple language without complex medical vocabulary. Notably, ChatGPT attempts to engage patients with empathetic, open-ended prompts, such as “let me know if you’d like to go over your personal risk factors or help plan when to get screened next,” which may support patient education and facilitate discussion for patients who are shy or uncertain. However, potential risks include misinformation, lack of source citation, and medico-legal considerations, which must be considered when integrating AI tools into clinical practice. While these AI-generated responses do not replace professional medical guidance, they demonstrate the potential to improve patient-centred education. A thoughtful way forward would be to embrace AI tools responsibly to enhance clinical communication and patient education.
Ethical approval:
Institutional Review Board approval is not required.
Declaration of patient consent:
Patient’s consent is not required as there are no patients in this study.
Use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for manuscript preparation:
The author confirms that they have used artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology, specifically generative AI (ChatGPT version 4), to generate example responses to common patient queries related to cervical cancer screening. All outputs were critically reviewed, interpreted, and contextualised by the author, who takes full responsibility for the final content of the manuscript.
References
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