Adherence to Preventive Care for Cervical Cancer
Adherence to Preventive Care for Cervical Cancer
In the United States, the highest incidence of cervical cancer occurs in inner city urban
 centers, rural areas, the deep South, Appalachia and the U.S.-Mexico border. The goal of this
 study is to study predictors of adherence among patients seeking care at an inner city
 medical center in New York City and the U.S. Mexico border for cervical cancer prevention,
 namely, Pap smears and colposcopy exams.
Because there are multiple pathways through which a person is influenced to seek and receive
 care, the investigators will conduct interviews with patients seeking care for cervical
 cancer prevention at an inner city medical center. The investigators will ask questions
 related to previous screening, diagnostic, and treatment practices as well as barriers
 experienced in seeking such care. The investigators will also explore patients' level of
 resiliency and coping as predictors of adherence to timely care. Furthermore, among
 immigrants, questions about acculturation and discrimination will be asked. Additional
 measures of socioeconomic status, such as education, income and occupation will also be
 collected.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  women who are at least 21 years old

 -  are seeking care for a Pap smear exam

 -  are seeking care for a colposcopy exam for the first time

 -  are not pregnant by self-report

 -  are able to provide informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  women who do not meet the above eligibility criteria

 -  women who have no prior history of a hysterectomy

 -  women who have previously participated in this study