Macfarlane’s cancer detection clinic aided in the detection of cervical cancer and unhealthy uterine conditions in many of the supposedly healthy volunteers. These early diagnoses ultimately saved the volunteers' lives by either allowing them to receive appropriate treatment for their cancer or preventing them from contracting cancer altogether. A total of seventeen cervical cancers were detected and treated at Macfarlane’s clinic.
"Thus far, unsuspected early cancer has been found in four of the volunteers. These women have received adequate treatment, one by operation, one by radium and X-ray, two early cases by radium alone. I believe three of these women will be permanently cured."
~ Catharine Macfarlane (The New York Times, “CLINIC OF WOMEN ON CANCER HAILED,” 1939)
"Unhealthy conditions, such as ulceration or inflammation which might lead to cancer, were found in about 25 per cent of the volunteers. About half of these women were referred to their family physicians for treatment, or in the absence of a family physician, were treated by my associates or myself."
~ Catharine Macfarlane (The New York Times, “CLINIC OF WOMEN ON CANCER HAILED,” 1939)
By pushing for her idea to provide pelvic examinations to asymptomatic women and implementing this practice in her cancer detection clinic, Macfarlane proved that asymptomatic women should be regularly screened for cervical cancer since she was able to save the lives of multiple volunteers by treating their cervical cancer early on. Macfarlane then shared these results of her experimental clinic with the American Medical Association in 1944 and 1948 and the Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia in 1940, 1951, and 1954. She provided a foundation of research to these organizations about the benefits of early pelvic screening; consequently, she effectively pushed the frontier of the prevention, detection, and control of cervical cancer.
"The number of deaths from cervical cancer in the United States have decreased substantially since the implementation of widespread cervical cancer screening and continue to decline."
~ “Cervical Cancer: Screening,” United States Preventative Services Task Force (2018)
"“The USPSTF concludes with high certainty that the benefits of screening every 3 years with cytology alone in women aged 21 to 29 years substantially outweigh the harms. The USPSTF concludes with high certainty that the benefits of screening every 3 years with cytology alone… in women aged 30 to 65 years outweigh the harms."
~ “Cervical Cancer: Screening,” United States Preventative Services Task Force (2018)
Questions rose in the late twentieth century about the potential harms and biases involved with practices of early cancer screening that Macfarlane used in her cancer detection clinic. However, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has deduced that cervical smears performed during pelvic examinations effectively help to prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer and avert mortalities from this disease through early detection and treatment. Therefore, Macfarlane's conclusions about the effectiveness of periodic pelvic examinations are supported by modern research and practices. The USPSTF now recommends that women between the ages of twenty-one and sixty-five should be screened for cervical cancer every three years.
Macfarlane received a Lasker Award in 1951 for her significant contributions to the research and prevention of cancer through her establishment of the cancer detection clinic. Additionally, her clinic at WMCP was acknowledged as an inspiration to similar clinics that were opened nationwide.
The recipients of the Lasker Awards for 1951, including Catharine Macfarlane. (American Journal of Public Health, “The Lasker Awards for 1951”)
"Today in the United States, 251 cancer detection clinics patterned after these pilot establishments attest to the vision, energy and accomplishment of the two pioneers who are here honored. For outstanding administrative achievement in the field of preventive medicine the American Public Health Association salutes Dr. Elise L'Esperance and Dr. Catharine Macfarlane through this joint Lasker Award."
~ American Journal of Public Health, “The Lasker Awards for 1951” (1951)
Numerous women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer attribute their successful survival stories to the periodic pelvic examinations that detected their cancer at a treatable stage.
"My message to other women is one that you may have heard before, but it will always stand true: Get your Pap test. For the five minutes of discomfort, it’s worth it. Because if I hadn’t, I would not be here now."
~ Jen P. (“Cervical Cancer Screening and Survivor Stories.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
"My advice to women is to take your regular OB/GYN appointments seriously. My annual checkup saved my life."
~ Janna H. (“Cervical Cancer Screening and Survivor Stories.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
"If I hadn’t had that Pap test that led to my cancer diagnosis, I might not be here today. I’m living proof that screening can find cervical cancer at an early stage, when treatment works best."
~ Tamika F. (“Cervical Cancer Screening and Survivor Stories.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)