Knowledge of and access to screening in women with carcinoma of the cervix in Brazil

ABSTRACT

In order to assess the level of knowledge of screening for carcinoma of the cervix among women presenting with this condition, a survey of a consecutive series of patients was undertaken. All 266 patients presenting at this hospital during 1988 for the treatment of carcinoma of the cervix completed a strutured questionnaire about cervical cancer screening. A percentage of 68.8 percent patients had never been screened. Those patients who had not previously had a cervical smear test were more likely to be in the older age groups (over 45 years) and to come from low income groups with poor education and poor access to medical facilities. Even among patients who had previously had contacts with the medical prefession, only a minority (approximately 40 percent) had undergone cervical screening at any time. Since carcinoma of the cervix is currently the commonest malignant neoplasm in women in Brazil, it is evident thet an urgent campaign is necessary to educate both the public and the medical profession in cervical screening, hopefully to reduce the very high rate of invasive carcinoma of the cervix in this country.