Perception of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Japanese University Students Who Have Never Had a Pap Smear: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study aimed to explore attitudes towards cervical cancer screening among Japanese university studentswho had never had a Pap smear. Four focus-group discussions, each with 15 female university students, tookplace in November and December 2009. Discussions were recorded and transcripts were analyzed to extractattitudes of young women towards cervical cancer screening. The four themes that emerged were: i) a low senseof reality about cervical cancer; ii) a lack of knowledge about both cervical cancer and Pap smears; iii) a lackof motivation to get screened, and iv) a reluctance to visit the gynecologist. Participants who were interested inundergoing screening for cervical cancer cited the influence of conversations with friends and family, a diagnosisof cancer within their family, and relevant information from the media. The results indicate the importanceof getting young women more interested in cervical cancer screening and overcoming their tendency to avoidvisiting a gynecologist.