Screening for cervical cancer and the associated factors among women in Delhi, India

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one the fastest growing preventable malignancies globally. In 2008, there were 72826 deaths from cervical cancer in India in women of all age-groups, and this figure is projected to increase up to 116171 by the year 2025. Several factors contribute to high burden of disease and advanced stage at presentation including poor knowledge about the disease. Furthermore, there is a lack of screening among general population. The present study is a cross sectional, descriptive, hospital based study undertaken to assess the screening behaviour regarding cancer of cervix uteri among women. A total of 379 subjects were included in the study. The data was collected by questionnaire method after taking informed consent. It was observed that the majority (90.76%) of the participant women had never had a Pap smear. The reasons cited for not having a Pap smear were embarrassment (76.45%), family responsibilities (20.93%), fear of pain (1.75%), and lack of awareness (0.87%). The study reveals some alarming facts regarding cervical cancer screening. Most of the women decided not to get screened due to embarrassment. Many were convinced that they would never get the disease, a clear example of optimistic bias.