TITLE:
The Social Ecology of Cervical Cancer: The Challenges to Pap Smear Screening
AUTHORS:
Annekathryn Goodman
KEYWORDS:
Cervical Cancer; Pap Smear; Screening; Social Ecology
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Clinical Medicine,
Vol.4 No.12A,
December
24,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Cervical cancer
is a preventable disease. The risk factors for the development of cervical
cancer include both biologic factors and social factors. In the United States,
the leading risk factor for the development of cervical cancer is not having a Pap
smear for five years prior to the diagnosis of cancer. In low and middle income
countries, cervical cancer incidence and mortality are directly related to the lack of both screening programs and cancer
treatment facilities. This paper examines the social ecology of cervical
cancer. The literature is reviewed on social and cultural barriers to access to
health care and its effect of cervical cancer rates and outcomes.