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Women's experiences of repeated HPV testing in the context of cervical cancer screening: a qualitative study
Author(s) -
Waller Jo,
McCaffery Kirsten,
Kitchener Henry,
Nazroo James,
Wardle Jane
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1053
Subject(s) - colposcopy , medicine , context (archaeology) , psychosocial , cervical cancer , embarrassment , anxiety , gynecology , cervical screening , clinical psychology , preference , test (biology) , family medicine , cancer , obstetrics , psychology , social psychology , psychiatry , paleontology , economics , biology , microeconomics
Objective : To evaluate the psychosocial impact of taking part in repeated testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) in the context of cervical cancer screening. Methods : In‐depth interviews were carried out with 30 women who were HPV positive with normal cytology at trial baseline, and attended for a repeat HPV test 12 months later. Interview transcripts were analysed qualitatively using Framework Analysis to identify emergent themes. Results : Although women often experienced serious negative emotional consequences at the time of their first positive result, these did not generally last during the year between tests once questions about HPV had been resolved. The emotional impact of testing positive a second time was greater for many women, sometimes causing them to overcome their embarrassment about having a sexually transmitted infection in order to disclose their result and seek support. Among the women interviewed there was an overwhelming preference for immediate colposcopy rather than continued surveillance for persistent HPV. This was associated with the desire for a speedy resolution, and fears about progression to cancer. Conclusions : Although most women did not appear to suffer on‐going anxiety while waiting for a second HPV test, this seemed contingent on their information needs being met. Women appeared to be more distressed by a second HPV positive result than a single one, and expressed a clear preference for immediate colposcopy over continued surveillance. This finding might have implications for the way in which HPV testing could be used in cervical cancer screening programmes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.