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Cervical screening program and the psychological impact of an abnormal Pap smear: a self-assessment questionnaire study of 590 patients

  • General Gynecology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Invasive cervical cancer is today the fourth most common cancer of women in western civilization. Screening programs have led to a continuously decrease. Nevertheless, both screening and a positive test result are known to be associated with a negative psychological impact. Screening programs in European countries differ and thus psychological impact might as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychological impact of women with an abnormal Pap smear in a German cohort.

Methods

Between July 2013 and May 2014, a self-assessment questionnaire was distributed to 595 patients that were referred to a special clinic for cervical dysplasia for further evaluation of an abnormal Pap smear. Patients were recruited in five different centers.

Results

Most patients (45.9 %) were informed about the test result via phone call by their doctor. 68.8 % of the patients felt anxious and 26.3 % even felt panic. After having talked to their physician, 51.4 % of our cohort still felt worried and only 24.4 % felt reassured. Concerning disease management, 48.4 % underwent a control Pap smear in 6 months. The preferred information source was the physician (63.9 %). Compared to the results in other European countries, our study cohort showed differences concerning age distribution, patients living in a partnership, number of children and especially disease management.

Conclusion

Cancer screening itself and abnormal test results have an impact on patient’s feelings. To reduce the psychological impact, patients need to be better informed about the risks and benefits of cancer screening programs and in case of cervical cancer screening about the meaning of an abnormal test result. Our results underline the importance of a trustful physician–patient relationship in that matter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 34, 50931, Cologne, Germany

    Fabinshy Thangarajah, Thomas Einzmann, Julian Puppe, Lisa Richters, Peter Mallmann & Verena Kirn

  2. Amedes MVZ for Gynecology and Pathology Munich GmbH, Maximillianstraße 38, 80539, Munich, Germany

    Florian Bergauer

  3. MVZ Institute for Clinical Genetics, Pathology and Cytology Nordrhein GmbH in the Protestant Hospital of Oberhausen, Virchowstraße 20, 46047, Oberhausen, Germany

    Jan Patzke, Silke Schmidt-Petruschkat & Katja Engel

  4. Amedes MVZ Wagnerstibbe for Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, Cytology, Pathology and Internal Medicine, Hannoversche Str. 24, 31848, Bad Muenster, Germany

    Monika Theune

Authors
  1. Fabinshy Thangarajah
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  2. Thomas Einzmann
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Correspondence to Fabinshy Thangarajah.

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Thangarajah, F., Einzmann, T., Bergauer, F. et al. Cervical screening program and the psychological impact of an abnormal Pap smear: a self-assessment questionnaire study of 590 patients. Arch Gynecol Obstet 293, 391–398 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3821-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3821-z

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