According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer was responsible for an estimated 342,000 deaths worldwide in 2020. Limited access to screening is one reason why people still die from cervical cancer. BD supports screening with its human papillomavirus (HPV) test and the Surepath liquid-based Pap test. Although HPV tests are more sensitive, according to the company, it expects Pap tests to "continue to play an important diagnostic role as programs transition to the new standard of care. Techcyte's system is compatible with several liquid-based cytology preparations, including Surepath. Traditionally, cytotechnologists and pathologists viewed glass slides under a microscope. To use the Techcyte system, technologists prepare slides with systems like Surepath and scan them to create digital files. The AI algorithm then identifies cells with features that suggest they may be diagnostically relevant."