The officials pointed to a case of a woman who was more than 60 years old, who got cervical cancer even though she had her womb and ovaries taken out 10 years earlier in the hope that she would never have to worry about getting cancer.

As the woman skipped getting pap smear examinations since then, she was shocked to find out that she had cervical cancer early this year, according to the officials.

They believe that cancer cells might develop even in remaining womb tissue, but officials said the good news is cervical cancer is one of the most curable types of cancers.

"Cervical cancer is not as terrible as women think. On the contrary, it has the highest cure rate among various cancers if discovered early," the official said.

Pap smears have been one of the medical checkups that the government has not spared efforts in promoting during the last few years.

According to the officials, Taichung County's Department of Health has offered free pap smears for women aged 30 and over, and free tests for blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol for women aged 40 and over.

Meanwhile, women older than 30 who have had a pap smear will be offered a free ultrasound breast exam, the officials said.