Biopsychosocial predictors of adherence to follow-up colposcopy in first-time patients.

Cervical cancer is a major health issue worldwide, with 500 000 new cases each year (Parkin et al., 2001). Women who die of cervical cancer lose on average 26 years of life, which is considerably greater than the average years of life lost to breast cancer (18.9 years; Horner et al., 2009). Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that are preventable through screening, and population-based screening for cervical cancer can reduce incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer by 80% (Antilla et al., 2004). Cytological screening by smear test followed by diagnostic colposcopy allows for early detection of pre-cancerous lesions and treatment, which may stop the progression from cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to invasive cervical cancer.