"A Pap smear saved my life": Personal experiences of cervical abnormalities shape attitudes to cervical screening renewal. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Obermair, Helena M; McCaffery, Kirsten J; Dodd, Rachael H
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical screening. Volume 27:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 223
• Page End: 226
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Cancer screening -- cervical cancer -- early diagnosis of cancer -- Pap smear -- human papilloma virus; Medical screening -- Periodicals; 362.177
• DOI: 10.1177/0969141319889648
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-1413

Abstract

Objective: In 2017, the Australian National Cervical Screening Program changed from two-yearly Pap smears between ages 18 and 69, to five-yearly human papillomavirus screening between ages 25 and 74 (the "Renewal"). This study investigated attitudes towards the changes, among individuals previously affected by cervical abnormalities/cervical cancer, personally or through a friend/relative. Methods: We conducted a thematic analysis of comments expressing personal history or a family/friend history of cervical abnormalities/cervical cancer as a reason for opposing changes to the cervical screening program. The comments were taken from a 20% random sample of 19, 633 comments posted on the "Change.org" petition "Stop May 1st Changes to Pap Smears – Save Women's Lives" in February–March 2017. Results: There were 831 (20.8%) commenters who reported that they were concerned about a change in screening due to: feelings of increased personal vulnerability to cervical cancer due to their own personal history of cervical abnormalities; comparison of extended screening intervals and later age of first screening to their own experiences; and a perception of increased personal risk due to family history. Conclusion: Women previously affected by cervical abnormalities or cervical cancer, personally or through a friend/relative, expressed concern about changes to cervical screening due to perceived increased risk and feeling vulnerable due to personal history.