Molly Callahan, a gynecological teaching assistant, helps medical students practice pap smears and breast exams
On her busiest days, Molly Callahan, has 16 speculums inserted into her vagina. She works full-time as a gynecological teaching assistant (GTA) – a layperson who helps medical students practice pap smears and breast exams before they work with actual patients.
It’s not as unpleasant as you might think. In fact, the point is to help students learn how to do it without causing discomfort. Contrary to common belief, pap smears – tests that screen for cervical cancer – don’t have to be painful.
“I don’t ever really feel physically in pain even after the longest week of work,” she said. “If [your] reaction to my job is that it sounds like torture, I hope you feel scammed,” added Callahan, 30, who is also the president of an international association for GTAs and MUTAs (male urogenital teaching associates). “I hope you go fire your gynecologist.”
Pap smears have reduced cervical cancer–related deaths by 86%, but many women avoid them due to confusion around guidelines, perceived lack of symptoms and, most commonly, speculum discomfort and embarrassment.
