Patients’ Reactions to Further Evaluation of Abnormal Cytological Smear Tests

Kola, Susanna and Walsh, Jane C. (2008) Patients’ Reactions to Further Evaluation of Abnormal Cytological Smear Tests. In: 39th Annual Conference of the Psychological Society of Ireland, 20th – 23rd November 2008, Tullow, Co. Carlow. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Objective: With the anticipated rollout
of the national cervical cancer-screening
programme, the study aimed to describe
psychological reactions to colposcopy,
and assess patient perceptions of possible
interventions. Methods: A retrospective
postal questionnaire was sent to 200
women (aged 20-60) registered with the
Colposcopy Clinic, University Hospital
Galway. Results: The response rate was
76%. Respondents reported high levels
of anxiety and worry prior to colposcopy.
Those that feared cancer had higher anxiety
levels than those not fearing cancer, t = 6.81,
df = 149, p < .001. Higher levels of pain
were reported by anxious patients than by
non-anxious patients, Chi2 (2) = 7.78, p =
.020. Conclusions: Women react adversely
to colposcopy, and increased anxiety affect
the experience of colposcopic examination,
with higher levels of pain, discomfort, and
embarrassment.

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