Perceived barriers and benefits to cervical cancer screening in Latin America

Perceived Susceptibility, and Cervical Cancer Screening Benefits and Barriers in Malaysian Women Visiting Outpatient Clinics

“…The majority of the respondents also believed the importance of doing cervical cancer screening. This is consistent with studies in which the majority of subjects agreed that regular Pap smear screening will give them peace of mind, identify the problem before it becomes cancerous and is very necessary even if there is no family history of cancer (Burak and Meyer, 1997;(Agurto et al, 2004;Bessler et al, 2007;Burak and Meyer, 1997).…”

“…This finding is also supported by Agurto et al (2004) and Suwatcharachaitiwong (2004), who found that respondents who were both screened for cervical cancer and never screened for cervical cancer either disagreed or strongly disagreed that the risk of cervical cancer increases with parity. The misconception that there is an association between parity and cervical cancer might be a contributing factor for the low uptake of cervical cancer screening.…”

Social inequality in Pap smear coverage: identifying under-users of cervical cancer screening in Argentina

“…Rates were much higher where clinics were more accessible or where mobile clinics brought services to women. 16,17 In our study, women with no health insurance coverage, and those who were not using contraceptive methods, were also less likely to have been screened. This profile was basically the same whether the women had not been screened in the previous two years or had never been screened.…”

“…Thus, increasing screening rates is not only a question of providing factual information, but of devising messages and communication strategies that are understood locally, incorporating cultural perceptions of preventive cancer care. 17 Compared to women aged 35-64, women aged 18-34 were less likely to have been screened in the previous two years or at all. The National Programme recommends screening every three years only for women aged 35-64, which could partially explain the lower uptake in this age group.…”

“…Studies that have analysed other barriers to Pap smear screening showed that waiting times, availability of counselling and arrangements to assure maximum privacy during the examination are important determinants of women's uptake of Pap tests. 16,17 Thus, assuring the availability of women-centred, high quality services is essential to high coverage.…”