title: Patients' perceptions of colposcopy pain.
abstract: This study aimed to examine the sensory descriptors used by women undergoing their first ever colposcopy examination as part of cervical cancer screening. Immediately following colposcopy, women were asked to provide detailed information about the sensory, affective, evaluative and intensity properties of the colposcopy examination using a validated, standardised questionnaire. Overall, 160 colposcopy patients with different management options were assessed [53 women underwent diagnostic colposcopy only, 76 had colposcopy plus punch biopsy, 31 women had colposcopy plus see-and-treat large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) treatment]. The results demonstrated that women report greater pain intensity with more intensive management options, such that women who have punch biopsy or LLETZ treatment report significantly more pain than women who have diagnostic colposcopy. In addition, with increasing intensity of treatment, the number of qualitative sensory and pain descriptors increase. This information can usefully be incorporated into colposcopy information leaflets, to ensure the sensory and affective experience of colposcopy is fully explained to women prior to attending. Expanding the preparatory information that women receive may serve to reduce anxiety, pain and distress associated with colposcopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kola-Palmer
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003127:Colposcopy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: cervical cancer screening; colposcopy; pain; patient education; patients’ perceptions