Actual versus perceived risk of cervical cancer among college women smokers.
Cervical cancer is a well-established smoking-related illness, but many at-risk women are unaware of this link.


OBJECTIVE
The authors designed this study to (1) investigate the relationship of smoking behavior with the history of abnormal Pap test results, sexual history, and perceived risk of cervical cancer and (2) determine whether self-classified smoking status (and hence perceived risk) corresponds with actual smoking behavior in a college student population. PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD SUMMARY: College women students (N = 135) completed a survey assessing smoking history, health history, sexual risk behavior, and risk awareness.


RESULTS
Relative to those who had not smoked in the past month, current smokers (n = 36, or 27% of the total sample) perceived themselves to be at higher risk for developing cervical cancer, but did not demonstrate increased awareness of specific cervical cancer risk factors, including smoking. Twenty-eight percent (10 of 36) of past-month smokers did not define themselves as current smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors conclude that anti-smoking and health-related messages targeting smokers may misfire for individuals who do not define themselves as smokers but are nonetheless at risk for smoking-related consequences and escalating use.
Saules
Karen K
KK
Eastern Michigan University, Psychology Department, Ypsilanti 48197, USA. ksaules@emich.edu
Vannest
Neo O
NO
Mehringer
Ann M
AM
Pomerleau
Cynthia S
CS
Lee
Keleigh
K
Opipari
Anthony W
AW
Midgley
A Rees
AR
Kleinsmith
Lewis J
LJ
Sen
Ananda
A
Snedecor
Sandy M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears