• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.333-340
• /
• 2013

Background: The aim of the study was to identify the relationship between 'Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test' subscale scores and demographic/gyneco-obstetric characteristics. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 256 women. Data were obtained using the 'Demographic and Gyneco-Obstetric Identification Form' and the 'Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and the Pap Smear Test. Results: The percentage of women who had heard about the Pap test was 77.7 whereas only 32.4% had actually undergone the test. Some 45.7% of the women stated that they did not know the reason for having a Pap test. Women who had obtained a Pap smear test had statistically significantly fewer perceived barriers than those who had never had (p<0.05). Scores with regard to the subscales including 'Benefits of Pap Smear Tests and Health Motivation', 'Perceived Seriousness of Cervical Cancer', 'Susceptibility to Cervical Cancer' and 'Cervical Cancer Health Motivation' did not differ with demographic/gyneco-obstetric characteristics such as womens' educational level, whether or not young age at first marriage, whether or not having family history of female cancer, and whether or not having had a Pap test (p>0.05). Conclusions: Increasing knowledge about benefits of Pap smear tests, increasing motivation to obtain Pap Smear Test and increasing perceived seriousness of cervical cancer could promote attendance at cervical cancer screening. Different strategies are needed for behavioural change. Implementation of educational programmes by nurses in a busy environment could result in a major clinical change, based on the findings of this study.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.16
• /
• pp.6887-6892
• /
• 2014

The oncogenic role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in triggering cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women worldwide, is well established. Romania ranks in first place in Europe in terms of the incidence of cervical cancer. Geographical widespread data on HPV type-distribution are essential for estimating the impact of HPV vaccines and cervical cancer screening programmes. In this study we aimed to identify the prevalence of HPV genotypes and to establish correlations with abnormal cervical cytology among the female population of Brasov County, Romania. A total of 1,000 women aged 17.3-57 years, attending routine cervical examination in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Brasov, Romania, and undergoing both cytological examination and HPV genotyping were screened. Infection with 35 different HPV genotypes was detected in 39.6% of cytological specimens. Overall HPV infections were highest in young women under 25 years (p<0.0001), in which cervical cytological abnormalities also reached the highest prevalence. Patients infected by HPV-16 or HPV-18 showed the highest prevalence of cervical cytological abnormalities. Some 48.2% of women with abnormal cytology were infected with high-risk HPV types whereas less than 3% of them were infected only with low-risk HPV types. Our study showed that the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection among Romanian women is higher compared to other studies in other geographic areas. Thus, we consider that in areas where there is an increased prevalence of high-risk HPV infections, HPV genotyping should be performed in all women aged between 18 and 45 years, and Pap test should be performed every 6 months in women with high-risk HPV infection, even those with previous normal cervical cytology.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.91-96
• /
• 2012

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HPV and cervical neoplasia among HIV-infected women in southwestern China. Methods: Cervical cytology, HPV detection by Hybrid Capture-$2^{TM}$ assay, and diagnostic colposcopy were followed by cervical biopsy if indicated. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze associations between HPV co-infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and HIV-related clinical and laboratory parameters. Results: Colposcopic-histopathologically proven CIN2+ lesions were present in 7/83 (8.4%) HIV-infected women. Nearly half (41/83, 43%) were co-infected with carcinogenic HPV genotypes. HPV co-infection was higher in women with colposcopic-histopathologically proven CIN2+ lesions than women with $cells/{\mu}L$ had higher CIN2+ prevalence after adjusting for current ART status and age (adjusted OR: 6.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 36.5). Conclusions: HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs should integrate effective cervical cancer prevention services to mitigate the risk of invasive cervical cancer among HIV-infected women in China.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.155-170
• /
• 2000

This study was aimed at preparing basic data required for establishment of a cancer screening program by examining the status of cancer screenings performed by women in a city and the factors that had an influence on cervical and breast cancers screening behavior of women. In order to find out the status of cervical and breast cancers screening and the factors having an influence on cervical and breast cancers screening behavior, 1,113 women were selected as study area and subjects by a random cluster sampling method, and the subjects were answered by questionnaires. The major results were as follows: 1. In the cases of the breast and the cervical cancers, 16.7% and 55.7% of the subjects turned out to have had one or more screenings respectively in their life-time. Also the rate of screening group of cervical and breast cancers was 16.7%, the rate of screening group of only cervical cancer was 38.9%, and the rate of non-screening group was 44.4%. 2. As to the screening pattern of cervical and breast cancer, there were significantly for age, income, occupation, married status, spouse, the factors associated with health promotion (doctor visiting, exercising), married age, number of children, and breast feeding(p〈0.05). 3. The factors associated with screening behaviors for cervical and breast cancers were age, income, occupation, married status, doctor visiting, exercising, married age, number of children, and breast feeding(p〈0.05). Based on the above-mentioned results obtained by this study, it was anticipated that this study may be playa vital role as basic data for the development and execution of cervical and breast cancers screening program for women in a community. And the analysis, done on the basis of the status of the cancer screening, of the influence factors on cervical and breast cancers screening behavior showed that for the development of a cancer screening program, the factors like age, social-economic class, married status, health promotion behavior, and reproductive characteristics should be considered.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.14 no.7
• /
• pp.439-449
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological factors affecting cervical cancer screening intention focused on college women including graduate students. A total of 281 college women students were analyzed. The major results of this study indicate that positive attitude toward cervical cancer screening through social support(family and friend), doctor and nurse support were essential to improve cervical cancer screening intention of college women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.2067-2073
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The aim of the study was to identify risk and protective factors/markers for cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN3) in Israeli Jewish women in order to settle the discrepancy of low incidence rate of cervical cancer and relatively high incidence rate of CIN3. Materials and Methods: We conducted two case control studies, which examined the association between potential risk and protective factors/markers for cervical cancer or CIN3 using self administered detailed questionnaires. Results: For studying cervical cancer, 40 cases and 40 matched controls were interviewed. In the univariable and multivariable analyses older age, depression or anxiety and ever smoking seemed to act as independent risk factors/markers, while older age at first intercourse was protective. For studying CIN3, 99 cases and 79 controls were interviewed. Multivariable analysis has demonstrated that being born in Israel, depression or anxiety and ever smoking were independent risk factors/markers for CIN3. Conclusions: The risk factors/markers studied, that were associated with cervical cancer or CIN3 among Jewish women in Israel, are similar to those reported in other parts of the world, and do not explain the observed discrepancy of high in-situ cervical cancer rates and low invasive cervical cancer incidence in Israel.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.3095-3099
• /
• 2016

Background: Cervical cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in India. Understanding quality of life (QOL) in women undergoing chemo-radiotherapy for cervical cancer will help in introducing interventions for better care and outcomes in these women. This study assessed QOL before and after chemo-radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This follow-up study covered sixty-seven newly diagnosed women with advanced cervical cancer (stages 2b to 4b). Structured questionnaires (the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-CX24) were used to assess the change in QOL after 6 months of treatment. Results: The mean age of women at the time of detection of cervical cancer was $52.3{\pm}11.29$ years (Range 30-75 years). Six months survival was 92.53%. The mean global health score of cervical cancer patients after six months of treatment was 59.52, which was significantly higher than the pre-treatment score of 50.15 (p=0.00007). Physical, cognitive and emotional functioning improved significantly (p<0.05) after treatment. Fatigue, pain, insomnia and appetite loss improved but episodes of diarrhea increased after treatment. The mean "symptoms score" using EORTC QLQ-CX24 post treatment was 20.0 which was significantly lower as compared to the pre- treatment score 30.0 (p<0.00001). Sexual enjoyment and sexual functioning decreased significantly after treatment. Conclusions: QOL of newly diagnosed cervical cancer patients improved significantly following chemo-radio therapy. Enhancement was also demonstrated on three of the five functional scales of EORTC QLQ-C30. To further improve QOL, interventions focusing on social and psychological support and physical rehabilitation may be needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.13
• /
• pp.5153-5158
• /
• 2015

Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is an essential cause of cervical cancer. Because of substantial geographical variation in the HPV genotype distribution, data regarding HPV type-specific prevalence for a particular country are mandatory for providing baseline information to estimate effectiveness of currently implemented HPV-based cervical cancer prevention. Accordingly, this review was conducted to evaluate the HR-HPV genotype distribution among Thai women with precancerous cervical lesions i.e. cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2-3 (CIN 2-3), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), and invasive cervical cancer by reviewing the available literature. The prevalence of HR-HPV infection among Thai women with CIN 2-3 ranged from 64.8% to 90.1% and the three most common genotypes were HPV 16 (38.5%), HPV 58 (20.0%), and HPV 18 (5.5%). There were high squamous cell carcinoma/CIN 2-3 prevalence ratios in women with CIN 2-3 infected with HPV 33 and HPV 58 (1.40 and 1.38, respectively), emphasizing the importance of these subtypes in the risk of progression to invasive cancer among Thai women. Data regarding the prevalence and genotype distribution of HR-HPV in Thai women with AIS remain unavailable. Interesting findings about the distribution of HPV genotype in cervical cancer among Thai women include: (1) a relatively high prevalence of HPV 52 and HPV 58 in invasive squamous cell carcinoma; (2) the prevalence of HPV 18-related adenocarcinoma is almost double thepreviously reported prevalence, and (3) 75% of neuroendocrine carcinomas are HPV18-positive when taking into account both single and multiple infections.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.317-327
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the influence of cervical cancer knowledge, human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge, self-efficacy, and uncertainty on the intention to engage in cervical cancer preventive behavior in HPV-infected women. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted among 129 adult women aged 20 to 65 years who received positive HPV results at a general hospital in Changwon, Korea. The dataset was analyzed using descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, analysis of variance, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression. Results: The mean score for the intention to engage in cervical cancer preventive behavior was high (4.43±0.65). This intention was significantly different according to age at first sexual intercourse (F=7.38, p=.001), HPV type (F=4.79, p=.010), vaccination (t=3.19, p=.002), and condom use (t=3.03, p=.003). The intention to engage in cervical cancer preventive behavior showed significant, weak-to-moderate positive correlations with HPV knowledge (r=.22, p=.012) and self-efficacy (r=.42, p<.001). Self-efficacy (β=.46, p<.001), first sexual intercourse at <20 years (β=.45, p<.001), first sexual intercourse at 20-24 years (β=.29, p=. 018), HPV high- and low-risk group infection (β=.26, p=.019), HPV high-risk group infection (β=.26, p=.026), and vaccination (β=.21, p=.007) significantly influenced the intention to engage in cervical cancer preventive behavior. These variables explained 34.6% of variance in intention. Conclusion: Study findings support the need to develop a program that effectively conveys accurate information about cervical cancer prevention to HPV-infected women and helps them enhance self-efficacy to boost the intention to engage in cervical cancer preventive behavior.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.7
• /
• pp.4313-4318
• /
• 2013

This study aimed to explore attitudes towards cervical cancer screening among Japanese university students who had never had a Pap smear. Four focus-group discussions, each with 15 female university students, took place in November and December 2009. Discussions were recorded and transcripts were analyzed to extract attitudes of young women towards cervical cancer screening. The four themes that emerged were: i) a low sense of reality about cervical cancer; ii) a lack of knowledge about both cervical cancer and Pap smears; iii) a lack of motivation to get screened, and iv) a reluctance to visit the gynecologist. Participants who were interested in undergoing screening for cervical cancer cited the influence of conversations with friends and family, a diagnosis of cancer within their family, and relevant information from the media. The results indicate the importance of getting young women more interested in cervical cancer screening and overcoming their tendency to avoid visiting a gynecologist.