Factors Associated with Delayed Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer in Iran - a Survey in Isfahan City

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> In the absence of routine screening program for cervical cancer in Iran and high rate of diagnosedcancer in its advanced stage, recognition of sociodemographic factors related to delayed diagnosis of cancer in Irancould be helpful in reducing the burden of disease in our community. The aim of this study was to determine thestage of cervical cancer at diagnosis and factors related to delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer in Isfahan, Iran.Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: In this cross sectional study women diagnosed with cervical cancer for the first time byhisto-pathological examination were enrolled. According to the clinical and paraclinical findings and staging ofthe cancer, they were classified into early and delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer. Sociodemographic factorswere compared in the two groups. <br/><b>Results</b>: In this study of 55 women mean age was 48.3±12.0. According to ourclassification 6/55 (10.9%) and 49/55 (89.1%) of them had early and delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer. Delayeddiagnosis of the cancer was significantly higher in patients with lower degree of education, lower socioeconomicstatus, having smoker and addict husband and those who did not have a history of Pap smear test (p<0.05).<br/><b>Conclusions</b>: The results of this study indicated risk factors related to delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer. Theaffected women should be targeted for implementation of specialized educational programmes for improvingknowledge and screening test.