FAILURE TO ATTEND CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING TESTS: REASONS GIVEN AND FEELINGS INVOLVED

Abstract

Cervical cancer has high rates of prevalency and mortality and the principal strategy for tracking it is the Papanicolaou test. The objective of this study was to learn about the reasons which are behind failure to attend Family Health Units in Porto Alegre (state of Rio Grande do Sul) for the collection phase of this exam. It is a qualitative study, whose data was collected in April 2011 via semi-structured interviews and a socio-demographic questionnaire, completed by eight persons. The data was analyzed by the technique of content analysis, revealing a plethora of reasons and feelings linked with taking the Papanicolaou test, principally to do with the area of sexuality and the finite nature of life. The link between health professionals and health service users is indispensable for such feelings to be minimized and compliance with measures for preventing this disease to be raised.

Keywords

• Papanicolau test
• Women's health
• Neoplasm of cervix
• Emotions