Description
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in world & leading cause of mortality among women in India due to late detection & low screening rates. A comprehensive questionnaire prepared & cross-sectional survey was conducted for 1008 women. Out of 1008 participants only 336(33.3%) participants were aware about screening and < 28% participants were aware about pap smear, time of investigation, method of pap smear, health centre etc. Regarding risk factors less than 28% women were aware of increased risk of Cervical Cancer due to multiple partners, early initiation of sexual activity. Of the women interviewed less than 26% of participants are aware of symptoms of cervical cancer like postcoital bleeding, foul smelling etc. Younger women, low socioeconomic status, Education level and early marriage all had a significant relationship with the awareness of Pap smear test. Out of 1008 participants 730(72.4%) gave consent for pap smear and 278(27.6%) participants refused despite of counselling. We concluded that fear, pain and embarrassment, deterred females from undergoing screening and becoming aware when they were pregnant or receiving fertility treatment. Thus, a national awareness programme on Cervical Cancer screening should be developed for early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.
