Adherence to Preventive Care for Cervical Cancer

Adherence to Screening and Follow-up Diagnostic and Treatment Services for Cervical Cancer Prevention

In the United States, the highest incidence of cervical cancer occurs in inner city urban centers, rural areas, the deep South, Appalachia and the U.S.-Mexico border. The goal of this study is to study predictors of adherence among patients seeking care at an inner city medical center in New York City and the U.S. Mexico border for cervical cancer prevention, namely, Pap smears and colposcopy exams.

Because there are multiple pathways through which a person is influenced to seek and receive care, the investigators will conduct interviews with patients seeking care for cervical cancer prevention at an inner city medical center. The investigators will ask questions related to previous screening, diagnostic, and treatment practices as well as barriers experienced in seeking such care. The investigators will also explore patients' level of resiliency and coping as predictors of adherence to timely care. Furthermore, among immigrants, questions about acculturation and discrimination will be asked. Additional measures of socioeconomic status, such as education, income and occupation will also be collected.

Inclusion Criteria:

• women who are at least 21 years old
• are seeking care for a Pap smear exam
• are seeking care for a colposcopy exam for the first time
• are not pregnant by self-report
• are able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• women who do not meet the above eligibility criteria
• women who have no prior history of a hysterectomy
• women who have previously participated in this study