Women with Cervical Cancer: Perceptions about the Papanicolau Test

Resumen

Objective: To examine perceptions about the Papanicolau (Pap) test from the perspectives of Chilean women with cervical cancer. Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study in Santiago, Chile. Participants: 127 Chilean women. Results: The principal reasons for not having had a PAP test were procrastination; barriers related to fear, embarrassment, discomfort, lack of caring, and lack of time; and lack of knowledge. Conclusion: All the reasons given by the Chilean women must be considered by health care professional, whose are in a position to advocate for education and cervical cancer screening for women, especially in countries where this disease is still prevalent. These results can serve as a guide for education programs and can be applied in intervention research. Key words: Pap test, cancer, barriers.