Why the Pap Test? Awareness and Use of the Pap Test Among Women in the United States

Abstract

General familiarity and past receipt of the Pap test were high, but misconceptions about its purpose were prevalent. It is important that women understand what a routine Pap test is and is not capable of detecting so that signs and symptoms of gynecologic conditions other than cervical cancer may be recognized and addressed appropriately.

Determining the Knowledge of Women and Their Attitudes Regarding Gynecological Cancer Prevention

“…The studies indicate that women have lack of knowledge regarding the scanning tests, the frequency of having tests and the purpose of having the tests (Abothchie ve Shokar, 2009;Al-Sairafi, 2009;Nakaluvu, 2009;Phongsavan et al, 2010;Chigbu ve Aniebue, 2011;Cooper et al, 2011;Hawkins et al, 2011;Mbamara et al, 2011;Minchev et al, 2011;Paolino et al, 2011). More than half of the women in our study think that they should take pap smear test only when they have gynecological disorders.…”

“…scanning tests being unnecessary, women do not take the advantage of early diagnosis (Abothchie ve Shokar, 2009;Al Sairafi, 2009;Lockwood-Rayermann et al, 2009;Nakalevu, 2009;Şahin, 2009;Ali et al, 2010;Fallowfield et al, 2010;Gil et al, 2010;Jones et al, 2010;Phongsavan et al, 2010;Rama et al, 2010;Chigbu and Aniebue, 2011;Cooper et al, 2011;Hawkins et al, 2011;Kebede, 2011;Mbamara et al, 2011;Minchew, 2011;Paolino and Arossi, 2011;Trivers et al, 2011).…”

Behaviour among women in the scope of cervical cancer prevention

“…It should be noted that only implementation of a long-term nationwide and population survey system of screening tests can decrease the incidence of cancer in women [21][22][23]. In many countries, as a result of a well-functioning screening programme, morbidity and mortality rates of women with cervical cancer have been radically reduced [2,9,10,16,[23][24][25]. However, in many countries where due to numerous obstacles and restrictions women rarely or never participate in prophylaxis, the factors mentioned above remain at a high level [1,7].…”

“…It is important to conduct a sustained information campaign and various forms of health education [1,2,[7][8][9]26]. The aim of these actions is to increase the participation of women in prophylaxis and to prevent the morbidity and mortality caused by cervical cancer.…”

“…To understand the behaviour of women and their lack of recommended attitudes in the scope of cervical cancer prevention is a valuable source of information which should be taken into consideration in making some revision to the programme in the future. It is believed that an important factor in increasing women's participation in prevention programmes can be achieved by improving their health awareness [7][8][9][10].…”