title: Compliance with breast and cervical cancer screening programs in women: results from a population-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Women's adherence to mammography and PAP test screening guidelines is a fundamental topic regarding women's health. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge and compliance to breast and cervical cancer screening programs in women living in three Italian towns, where a public screening program, consisting of free mammography every two years and free PAP test every three years, is ongoing.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous survey was mailed to a random sample of women. Eight 120-min focus discussions with groups of women exploring perceptions, knowledge and practices were carried out after analysis of the returned surveys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Replies were received from 1345 women (response rate, 27%). Almost every woman knew of the screening program, but women's practice of mammography was age-dependent: up to 72% of the women performed it before the age of 50. Conversely, the age of the first PAP test was rather late: up to 70% of the women performed it at over 30 years of age. Women with a lower educational level reported being screened less than those with a higher level. During the group discussions, women's perceptions, knowledge and beliefs regarding cancer and screening, together with aspects of the health care system, appeared to strongly influence the preventive practices. Many women deplored being infrequently instructed by health professionals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the limitations of the study due to the low response rate, we believe that health professionals should invest on encouraging factors and reduce the deterring factors to optimize screening practices.
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berardi
authors.forename: Dania
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nacciarriti
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tamburrano
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carbonari
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
authors.forename: Monia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duca
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burattini
authors.forename: Rosa Rita
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cellerino
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cascinu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018401:Sample Size; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*