Dataset Information

Confusion and anxiety in between abnormal cervical cancer screening results and colposcopy: "The land of the unknown".

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Attendance to colposcopy after abnormal cervical cancer screening is essential to cervical cancer prevention. This qualitative study explored patients' understanding of screening results, their experiences of the time leading up to the colposcopy appointment, and colposcopy.

Methods

We recruited women referred for colposcopy from two urban practices in an academic health system. Individual interviews (N = 15) with participants were conducted after colposcopy appointments about their cervical cancer screening histories, current results, and colposcopy experiences. A team analyzed and summarized interviews and coded transcripts in Atlas.ti.

Results

We found that most women were confused about their screening results, did not know what a colposcopy was before being referred for one, and experienced anxiety in the interval between receiving their results and having their colposcopy. Most women searched for information online, but found "misinformation," "worst-case scenarios" and generic information that did not resolve their confusion.

Conclusion

Women had little understanding of their cervical cancer risk and experienced anxiety looking for information and waiting for the colposcopy. Educating patients about cervical precancer and colposcopy, providing tailored information about their abnormal screening test results and potential next steps, and helping women manage distress may alleviate uncertainty while waiting for follow-up appointments.

Practice implications

Interventions to manage uncertainty and distress in the interval between receiving an abnormal screening test result and attending colposcopy are needed, even among highly adherent patients.

SUBMITTER: Kohler RE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10527466 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Confusion and anxiety in between abnormal cervical cancer screening results and colposcopy: "The land of the unknown".

Kohler Racquel E RE Hemler Jennifer J Wagner Rachel B RB Sullivan Brittany B Macenat Myneka M Tagai Erin K EK Miller Suzanne M SM Wen Kuang-Yi KY Ayers Charletta C Einstein Mark H MH Hudson Shawna V SV

Patient education and counseling 20230523

<h4>Objective</h4>Attendance to colposcopy after abnormal cervical cancer screening is essential to cervical cancer prevention. This qualitative study explored patients' understanding of screening results, their experiences of the time leading up to the colposcopy appointment, and colposcopy.<h4>Methods</h4>We recruited women referred for colposcopy from two urban practices in an academic health system. Individual interviews (N = 15) with participants were conducted after colposcopy appointments ...[more]

PMID: 37244133

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Project description:ObjectivesHuman papillomavirus (HPV) testing in cervical screening offers the potential for self-sampling to improve uptake among non-attenders. High-risk (HR) HPV detection in urine shows promise, but few studies have examined its sensitivity for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) detection compared with standard cervical samples. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to optimise conditions for urine testing for HPV detection; to determine concordance for HR-HPV detection in matched urine, vaginal and cervical samples; to compare the sensitivity of HR-HPV testing for the detection of CIN2+ in matched samples; and to determine the acceptability of urine testing for cervical screening.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSecondary care colposcopy clinic in North West England.ParticipantsWomen aged 25 years of age or older, attending colposcopy clinic for management of abnormal cervical screening results or a suspicious-looking cervix. In total, 104 women took part in the study. Triple matched samples were available for 79 and 66 women using Abbott RealTime (ART) and Roche Cobas 4800 (RC), respectively.InterventionSelf-collected urine and vaginal samples and practitioner-obtained cervical samples were tested for HR-HPV by ART and RC assays, including comparison of neat and preservative-fixed urine. Colposcopic opinion was recorded and directed cervical biopsies taken if clinically indicated. The acceptability of self-testing was evaluated by questionnaire.Primary outcome measureThe sensitivity of urine to detect underlying CIN2+.Secondary outcome measuresThe comparative sensitivity of vaginal and cervical samples to detect CIN2+; the acceptability of urine sampling.ResultsPreservative-fixed, but not neat urine, showed good concordance with vaginal samples for the detection of HR-HPV. The sensitivity for detecting CIN2+ was 15/18 (83%) for urine and 16/18 (89%) for cervical and vaginal samples by ART, and 15/17 (88%) for all samples by RC. Urine-based testing was broadly acceptable to women.ConclusionsUrinary HR-HPV detection offers an alternative strategy of cervical screening. Larger studies to determine its clinical utility are warranted.

Dataset Information

Confusion and anxiety in between abnormal cervical cancer screening results and colposcopy: "The land of the unknown".

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Practice implications

Publications

Confusion and anxiety in between abnormal cervical cancer screening results and colposcopy: "The land of the unknown".

Similar Datasets

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