Vanuatu's first pathologist is wrapping up her first week of work at Central Vila Hospital's updated laboratory.
Dr Crystal Garae from Ambae Island studied medicine in Fiji and Papua New Guinea before returning to Vanuatu.
She says she developed an interest in pathology when she realised that tissue samples - especially those from pap smears - had to be sent overseas for testing because the country had neither the staff nor the equipment.
Now Dr Garae is hoping her role will attract more pathologists and raise public awareness about the need for screening for cervical cancer.
She told Pacific Beat that the cases are now being reported in younger women.
She said the last case that she saw was in the 24 to 27 age group.