Exploration of factors linked with high cervical cancer rates in women from the former Yugoslavia in Victoria, Australia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the project was to identify the cervical screening rate and other factors that may be associated with high rates of cervical cancer in women from the former Yugoslavia compared to the general population in Victoria, Australia.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted by structured personal interviews of 42 Bosnian, 56 Croatian, 49 Macedonian, and 35 Serbian women, and 39 women who identified as Yugoslav or of mixed background. Self-report data were collected on Pap testing behaviour, estimated screening rate of each community, stage-based barriers to cervical screening, and women's theories about causes of cervical cancer within their community.


RESULTS
Women in this study had an acceptable screening rate, but barriers to cervical screening were similar to those of other groups. While Macedonian women believed more of their community had Pap tests than the other cultural groups, just under half were under-screened themselves. Smoking rates were very high for women in this study. The most common causes of cervical cancer suggested by women in the study were: a low screening rate, lifestyle stress, and chemicals.


CONCLUSIONS
It is unlikely that the high cervical cancer rate in women from the former Yugoslavia is a result of under-screening, lifestyle stress, or chemicals. Smoking may well contribute to the cancer rate, however the most likely explanation is that cancers not previously detected in Yugoslavia are now being found, together with cervical abnormalities, within the systematic two yearly screening programme of PapScreen Victoria, in Australia.
Fernbach
Madeline
M
Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council of Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia. Fernbach.Madeline.M@edumail.vic.ov.au
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015022:Yugoslavia / Q000208:ethnology