title: Factors associated with delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer in Iran--a survey in Isfahan City.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the absence of routine screening program for cervical cancer in Iran and high rate of diagnosed cancer in its advanced stage, recognition of sociodemographic factors related to delayed diagnosis of cancer in Iran could be helpful in reducing the burden of disease in our community. The aim of this study was to determine the stage of cervical cancer at diagnosis and factors related to delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer in Isfahan, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross sectional study women diagnosed with cervical cancer for the first time by histo-pathological examination were enrolled. According to the clinical and paraclinical findings and staging of the cancer, they were classified into early and delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer. Sociodemographic factors were compared in the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study of 55 women mean age was 48.3±12.0. According to our classification 6/55 (10.9%) and 49/55 (89.1%) of them had early and delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer. Delayed diagnosis of the cancer was significantly higher in patients with lower degree of education, lower socioeconomic status, having smoker and addict husband and those who did not have a history of Pap smear test (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicated risk factors related to delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer. The affected women should be targeted for implementation of specialized educational programmes for improving knowledge and screening test.
authors: Depatment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran E-mail : dr.azadehrah@gmail.com.
authors: Fariba
authors: F
authors: Behnamfar
authors: Mahboobeh
authors: M
authors: Azadehrah
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D018196:Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*