Evaluation of Prevalence of Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Programs between Gynecologists

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Resident in Neurology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Assistant Professor of Surgery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

4 Associate Professor of Biostatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Breast and other gynecologicscreening tests for cancers have led to improve treatment options, early detection and long survival of such malignancies. The rate of cervical and breast cancer screening programs among gynecologists can give us an informative vision about the importance and utility of these programs in community. The purpose of present study is to evaluate the women’s knowledge and their prioritizing in mentioned subject.
 
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which we applied an eight-part questionnaire containing close-ended questions. 136 gynecologic specialist and residents who gathered in a gynecologic congress from 7 distinct medical universities (Mashhad, Tehran, Shiraz, Tabriz, Kerman, Orumieh and Esfahan) were enrolled in the study. Data were analyzed bySPSS11.
 
Results: From 136 participants, 12 persons were excluded because of incomplete information. Among remained subjects, 115 were gynecologists and 9 were residents. 40 persons were below 40 and 84 persons were above 40 years of age, whereas the mean age was 43.1 years old. There were only 34.7% of normal population and 46.7% of high group who were performing breast self-exam on a monthly schedule. There also were 11.8% of normal population and 27.1% of high-risk group who underwent annual mammography. 17.8% of participants were subjected to yearly Pap smear and 29% of them didn’t have any Pap smear. Overall, 4.8% of participants have performed complete screening tests for cervical and breast cancer and 95.2% have not applied these modalities.
 
Conclusion: The rate to which the breast and cervical cancer screening tests are being performed is much lower than expected among gynecologists (who have crucial role in informing the people of society), even among their high-risk group. Thus, necessity of paying more attention to the screening programs and the changes in viewpoints is sensible.

Keywords

References

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