Cervical cancer: the route from signs and symptoms to treatment in South Africa

School-based human papillomavirus vaccination: An opportunity to increase knowledge about cervical cancer and improve uptake of screening

“…[4] Consistent with previous reports, the present study confirmed that many SA women at risk for cervical cancer lack even the most basic knowledge about the disease and how they can protect themselves. [5,6] These results support HPV vaccination campaigns as a potential platform to supply health information about cervical cancer that can influence screening decisions. Mothers and other female guardians of primary schoolchildren are at the ideal age for cervical screening and are socially and economically critically important.…”

Understanding cervical cancer: an exploration of lay perceptions, beliefs and knowledge about cervical cancer among the Acholi in northern Uganda

“…A recent study in Ethiopia and other earlier studies also found that knowledge of cervical cancer causes is usually mixed with beliefs which may affect treatment uptake [9,41]. The belief that cervical cancer is hereditary, for example, may lead to a failure to seek treatment in the belief that there is nothing that can be done to change a woman’s lineage.…”

“…A history of lack of screening and tumour differentiation status were found to be statistically significantly related with late stage cervical cancer at presentation in Zimbabwe [7] while in India, socioeconomic and other patient-related factors were found to greatly influence cervical cancer stage at presentation [8]. In a study in South Africa, delay by health professionals was perceived as responsible for late diagnosis [9]. …”

Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention for HIV-Infected Women in the Developing World

“…In South Africa, where it is estimated that 1 in 26 women develop cervical cancer in their lifetime, a cervical screening program was initiated in 2001; it called for three free Pap smears, starting at age 30, at ten year intervals (Cronje 2003;. By 2005-2006, 100% of primary health care clinics in South Africa had health professionals trained to conduct Pap smears, yet the screening rate was only 1.3% (van Schalkwyk 2008). Several studies have found a lack of awareness of cervical cancer as a disease among women, as well as stigma and cultural beliefs or perceptions related to the reproductive organs and symptoms that may delay care-seeking (Anorlu et al 2008;Wellensiek et al 2002;Anorlu et al 2000); however, studies have also documented that health care workers also often have poor knowledge about cervical cancer (Tarwireyi et al 2003;Ayinde and Omigbodun et al 2003).…”