Psycho-social influences upon older women's decision to attend cervical screening: A review of current evidence

Abstract

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ABSTRACTCervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide (WHO, 2016). In many developed countries the incidence of cervical cancer has been significantly reduced by the introduction of organised screening programmes however, in the UK, a fall in screening coverage is becoming a cause for concern. Much research attention has been afforded to younger women but age stratified mortality and incidence data suggest that older women's screening attendance is also worthy of study. This paper provides a review of current evidence concerning the psycho-social influences that older women experience when Highlights There has been a lack of research on older women and cervical screening  This is at odds with age stratified incidence and mortality data  Embarrassment and logistical issues may deter older women from cervical screening  Psychological, emotional and physical age related changes can also play a role  Further research to enable informed decision-making among older women is required ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

A randomized, controlled trial of two strategies of offering the home‐based HPV self‐sampling test to non‐ participants in the Flemish cervical cancer screening program

“…Women become more conscious about showing their body as they age, this may add to embarrassment and deter them from screening. 24 Unfortunately, we found low DNA percentages exponentially increasing over age to >20% in the age-group 60-64 years. A German study comparing the performance of the Qvintip with an another self-sampling device, the Evalyn Brush (Rovers, Medical Devices) found similar hrHPV detection rates, however the observed mean DNA concentration was found to be higher with the Evalyn samples than of the Qvintip samples (mean concentration: 23.8; 95% CI: 23.2-24.4).…”

“…Signs of cervical abnormalities from menstruation and sexual activity may no longer be present as cues to attend screening. Women become more conscious about showing their body as they age, this may add to embarrassment and deter them from screening . Unfortunately, we found low DNA percentages exponentially increasing over age to >20% in the age‐group 60–64 years.…”

“…Few studies have focused on the barriers and motivators of older women concerning cervical cancer screening. Older women may perceive cervical screening to be less relevant to them than younger women . Signs of cervical abnormalities from menstruation and sexual activity may no longer be present as cues to attend screening.…”

“…Older women may perceive cervical screening to be less relevant to them than younger women. 24 Signs of cervical abnormalities from menstruation and sexual activity may no longer be present as cues to attend screening. Women become more conscious about showing their body as they age, this may add to embarrassment and deter them from screening.…”

The incremental role of trait emotional intelligence on perceived cervical screening barriers

“…Emotions have also been found to be motivational factors in women's decisions about cancer screening (Anagnostopoulos et al, 2012;Consedine, Magai, & King, 2004;Hope, Moss, Redman, & Sherman, 2017). In their review, Bukowska-Durawa and Luszczynska (2014) reported that most barriers related to negative emotions evoked during the examination and in receiving test results.…”