title: US Navy Women's Experience of an Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent policy revisions allow greater inclusion of military women in operational and/or deployable positions (ie, shipboard, overseas, and war zone duty assignments), but these positions can create unique health care challenges. Military members are often transient due to deployments and change of duty stations, impacting timely follow-up care for treatable health conditions. There has been minimal research on challenges or strategies in preventive health screening and follow-up for US military women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The purpose of this qualitative research study was to describe US Navy women's experiences with abnormal cervical cancer screenings requiring colposcopic follow-up care. Ship- and shored-based women receiving care at a military colposcopy clinic completed interviews about their experience. Two forms of narrative analysis, Labov's sociolinguistic structural analysis and Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis, were employed to gain a more robust understanding of the women's experiences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample was comprised of 26 women (16 ship-based, 10 shore-based). Five themes were identified: 1) It's like this bombshell (initial abnormal results notification); 2) I didn't understand (self-discovery process); 3) Freaked (emotional toll); 4) It's kind of like this back and forth (scheduling and navigating care); and 5) It really opened my eyes (lessons learned).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The women's stories highlighted some issues unique to military health care, such as operational demands and follow-up care; other issues are likely common for most women learning about an abnormal cervical cancer screening result. Areas important for practice and future research include improving notification practices, providing information, understanding women's fear, and continuity of care. Research exploring educational initiatives and self-management practices are critical within military populations.
authors: Lisa A
authors: LA
authors: Braun
authors: Holly Powell
authors: HP
authors: Kennedy
authors: Lois S
authors: LS
authors: Sadler
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Dixon
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Womack
authors: Candy
authors: C
authors: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008889:Military Personnel; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cervical cancer screening; military health care; military women