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Claim: Barbara O’Neill, an Australian promoter of alternative health practices, in an Instagram reel posted by user nothingbutthetruth101 claimed Pap smear damages the cervix and that mammograms and biopsies contribute to the development of breast cancer.
Verdict: The claims are false. Health experts and scientific research confirm that Pap smears, mammograms, and biopsies are safe medical procedures used to detect cancer early, not cause it.
Full Text
An Instagram reel shared by user nothingbutthetruth101 featured Barbara O’Neill, an Australian promoter of alternative health practices, who advised women against specific medical tests. In the video, O’Neill advises against undergoing Pap smears, claiming, “Please don’t have a Pap smear. Every time you have a Pap smear, you’re damaging the cervix.”
Barbara further alleges that mammograms and biopsies contribute to the development of breast cancer.
She said, “Please don’t have a biopsy. A biopsy causes further damage. What about mammograms? Do they prevent breast cancer? They are contributing factors.”
As of June 20, 2025, the post had garnered over 1700 comments, 108,000 shares, and over 89,000 likes.
Reactions to the Instagram post were mixed. Some users supported the claims while others strongly criticised them as misleading.
One user, @elle_school_counselor02, shared a personal experience, saying, “I HATEEE getting Pap smears. I got a pelvic exam done, and it hurt a lot, even days after. It’s so uncomfortable.”
Another commenter, @a_lidbert, agreed with the post, writing, “Yuppie, at last. I haven’t checked my breast in the hospital for over 50 years, and I was right about the danger!!”
However, not everyone agreed. @hawntassonemd pushed back against the claims, calling the video “Horribly dangerous misinformation.”
This fact check is essential in the age of social media, where health misinformation can spread rapidly and influence public behaviour.
What Are Pap Smears, Mammograms, and Biopsies?
Pap Smear
A Pap smear (or Pap test) is a routine screening procedure designed to detect abnormal or potentially cancerous cells on the cervix (the lower end of the uterus that opens into the vagina). During the test, a healthcare provider gently collects a sample of cells using a soft brush or swab. These cells are later examined in a lab to identify signs of cervical cancer or precancerous changes. The process is quick and painless but uncomfortable, and plays a critical role in preventing cervical cancer through early detection.
Mammogram
A mammogram is a specialised X-ray that helps identify unusual growths or changes in breast tissue. The breast is gently compressed during the screening to spread the tissue evenly, allowing more precise imaging. Mammograms can detect lumps or abnormalities well before they can be felt manually.
Biopsy
A biopsy involves collecting a small tissue sample from a specific body part, such as the cervix or breast, to check for disease. It is often recommended when other tests, like a Pap smear or mammogram, indicate possible abnormalities.
Depending on the situation, doctors may extract the sample using a needle, scalpel, or other instruments.
Are there any risks from pap smears?
While Pap smears are widely regarded as one of the most effective tools in the fight against cervical cancer, they are not without limitations. The U.S. National Cancer Institute notes that screening can sometimes detect changes that may never have caused harm, leading to unnecessary follow-up tests. There’s also the risk of false-positive results, where a test incorrectly indicates a problem, or false negatives, where signs of disease go undetected.
According to the American Cancer Society, this screening method has significantly contributed to reducing cervical cancer rates, but it’s important to note that it isn’t foolproof.
Because Pap smears are analysed visually under a microscope, there’s room for human error. Each sample contains hundreds of thousands of cells, and identifying abnormalities relies on the accuracy of the person examining them. As a result, missed abnormalities or incorrect findings are possible.
The Cleveland Clinic emphasises the importance of staying consistent with routine Pap smears. While the process may feel inconvenient for some, skipping screenings could allow dangerous cellular changes to develop unnoticed, increasing the risk of serious health issues later on.
Do Mammograms and Biopsies cause cancer?
Mammograms use low-dose X-rays to capture images of breast tissue. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, while this involves radiation exposure, the dose is considered minimal and within safe limits. According to the Institute, the benefits of detecting breast cancer early far outweigh any potential risks from radiation.
The UK Cancer Institute explains that the radiation used during a mammogram is minimal. While exposure to high levels of radiation is known to increase cancer risk, the level associated with routine mammograms is too low to pose significant danger. However, undergoing mammograms more frequently and starting at a younger age, such as beginning annual screenings at 40 instead of 50, may slightly raise the risk over time.
For example, having a mammogram every three years for 20 years may result in a very slight increase in a woman’s lifetime risk of developing cancer. Women with larger breasts or breast implants may receive slightly higher radiation doses during screening, but even this is considered safe.
A biopsy is a diagnostic procedure involving taking a small tissue sample to be examined under a microscope. According to the American Cancer Society, “while cancer spread after a biopsy can technically happen, it’s important to remember that it’s extremely rare. When it does happen, it’s called “tumor seeding.” This process that occurs when the needle inserted into a tumor during the biopsy dislodges and spreads cancer cells. Tumor seeding may also be referred to as “needle tract seeding” because the cancer cells grow along the needle’s track.”
Experts Opinion
A Nigerian clinical and radiation oncologist, Habeeb Muhammad, described these claims as “dangerous misinformation.” He emphasised that Pap smears, mammograms, and biopsies are crucial to early cancer detection and improved survival rates.
Habeeb, who serves as the Chief Clinical Coordinator at the Ment Self-Look Counselling Centre, explained that these screening tools are not only safe but essential in identifying cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.
Contrary to online claims, he said screening methods such as mammograms, Pap smears, biopsies, and ultrasound scans do not cause cancer or pose serious health risks.
“These procedures are safe and are often done every six months to a year, depending on what is found. If something suspicious is detected, we increase the frequency of our monitoring. If nothing is found after repeated tests, screening becomes less frequent,” he said.
“If there is a doctor saying that a mammogram, pap smear, or a biopsy is more dangerous than not doing them, that person is likely not a real doctor. A large body of research proves these procedures’ safety and effectiveness.”
Another Oncologist, Charles Okonkwo, said, “Yes, there are both short and long-term complications. These include hypertrophic scars, keloids, non-healing ulcers, and in rare cases, even soft tissue sarcomas.”
“Doing mammograms once every three years carries a small cancer risk of about 1% over 20 years, which is still lower than the risk posed by background radiation we all face daily,” he added.
Explaining the difference between needle and surgical biopsies, Charles noted that a needle biopsy is less invasive and faster.
“A needle biopsy uses a wide-bore needle to collect a tissue sample, often giving quick results that help determine if a tumour is benign or malignant,” he said.
“However, it might not provide enough material to determine the specific cancer type, unlike a surgical biopsy, which removes a larger tissue sample for more detailed analysis,” he added.
Who is Barbara O’Neill, the woman in the viral video?
Barbara O’Neill is an Australian figure known for promoting alternative health practices that have generated widespread controversy and criticism from health authorities. Born on July 28, 1953, Barbara has no formally recognised medical qualifications and did not complete her nursing training.
In 2019, the New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) investigated Barbara, following multiple complaints from both the public and healthcare professionals. The Commission determined that she had offered dangerous and misleading health advice, particularly to vulnerable individuals.
Among her claims were advising cancer patients to avoid medically approved treatments like chemotherapy in favour of using bicarbonate of soda, and suggesting that infants be fed raw goat’s milk, practices considered unsafe and potentially harmful.
As a result, the HCCC issued a permanent prohibition preventing her from delivering any health-related services in New South Wales or elsewhere in Australia. The Commission also noted that Barbara did not meet the basic standards expected of unregistered health practitioners and lacked qualifications in any accredited health field.
Although some online sources claim she has experience in publishing, university-level teaching, and hospital-based care, health experts and regulatory bodies have widely discredited her public health claims and advice.
Conclusion
The assertions in the Instagram post are misleading and not supported by medical evidence. Pap smears, mammograms, and biopsies are safe and essential procedures that play a critical role in the early detection and treatment of cervical and breast cancers.
