Premium
The art of surveillance or reasonable prevention? The case of cervical screening
Author(s) -
McKie Linda
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
sociology of health and illness
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1467-9566
pISSN - 0141-9889
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9566.ep10932225
Subject(s) - cervical screening , service (business) , medicine , health services , cervical cancer screening , class (philosophy) , payment , cervical cancer , family medicine , business , environmental health , computer science , population , marketing , artificial intelligence , finance , cancer
In this article data are presented and analysed which identify and explore a white male working class discourse on cervical screening. This discourse was recounted by women who participated in nine discussion groups held as part of a project concerning the views of working class women on cervical screening. The cervical screening service is often viewed as a valuable component of preventive health services and one which recognises the unique health needs of women. In fact it is now a major component of the GP contract with service provision linked to target payments. However cervical screening does pose a number of risks, not solely medical, for service users. In particular the results of this study demonstrate that the female body, in this case the cervix, is a site for state, professional and male surveillance and control, through a preventive service which many feel obligated to participate in.