Screening for Cervical Cancer

The importance of screening in conditions of cervical cancer cannot be overestimated; this because improvements in women's cancer-screening behaviors can lead to a reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer. Indeed, Chamberlain (1983) reports that the very purpose of cancer screening is to detect and treat the disease at an early stage when it is still curable. The benefits of cancer screening are improved prognosis for some cases detected by screening, less radical treatment to cure some early cases, reassurance for those with negative test results, and resource savings from less radical treatment.

However, in order to elevate screening participation, it is necessary to understand those factors that operate as obstacles in participation. Several studies have investigated for factors (usually fear/anxiety related) that serve as obstacles. These studies have been conducted on both American women--most typically special populations of women in America (e.g., minorities, immigrants, low-income groups, etc.)--and on women in other countries. Both categories of research are examined here.

Factors That Obstruct Cancer Screening

Focus groups were used in a study conducted by Dignan, Michielutte, Sharp, Bahnson, Young and Beal (1990) in an effort to determine obstacles preventing black women (ages 18 years and above) from participating in cervical cancer screening. Subjects

. . .
ed concerning the application of colposcopy to the evaluation of women with abnormal Pap smears and concerning the application of computer technology to cancer-screening reminder systems. As to the general educational approach to screening, the authors felt that these approaches may improve the effectiveness of breast and cervical cancer screening, but that a variety of other approaches would also be necessary to decrease barriers to screening of Hispanic women. Other Countries In an early study of women refusing participation in cervical cancer screening Berrino, Chiappa, Oliverio, Todeschin, Turolla and Begetti (1977) examined reasons for the non-participation. Data collection covered a period of seven years in an Italian hospital-based clinic. It was estimated that about 55 percent of the women in the community had been screened. However, it was found that setting up decentralized units away from Legnano hospital elicited higher response rates with better results being obtained in small towns. However, screening rates decreased progressively with the distance of the town from the hospital. The mean interval between two successive examinations was 22 months. It was concluded that the distance from the screening center
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 4875
Approximate Pages = 20 (250 words per page)

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