burger/phanie/getty
A simple smear test for cervical cancer can now pick up ovarian and endometrial cancers before they turn deadly.
Ovarian and endometrial cancers are the fifth and sixth leading causes of cancer deaths in women. They are difficult to treat because they often spread to other parts of the body before symptoms arise.
A smear test, also known as a Pap test, uses a brush to collect cells from the cervix. These are studied under the microscope to look for cancerous changes or tested for the presence of human …