Abstract
ABSTRACT
There has been no investigation of the emotional impact of abnormal Pap smears, although anecdotal reports suggest the majority of women have strong emotional reactions to the event and, in some cases, refuse subsequent diagnosis and treatment on the basis of their concerns. In order to ensure patient compliance, it is necessary to identify and deal with the difficulties these patients may experience. Fifty women referred to the Ottawa Civic Hospital Dysplasia Clinic for colposcopically directed biopsies following abnormal Pap smears were asked to describe their concerns about abnormal Paps, to rate the intensity of these concerns on a 10-point scale, and to suggest interventions which would have helped them to be less apprehensive. Four areas of patient concern emerged: fear of cancer (reported by 100% of the patients), fear of loss of reproductive/sexual function (68%), fear of medical procedures (65%), and a fear described by many patients as "bodily betrayal" (62%). On the basis of these findings, suggestions are made for improving the emotional management of CIN patients.
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