UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: The purpose of this project was to obtain an understanding of attitudes and opinions regarding breast and cervical cancer screening among women ages 25-64 in order to increase awareness and improve the use of the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (WVBCCSP). The WVBCCSP is a comprehensive public health program, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dedicated to removing breast and cervical cancer screening barriers and providing quality services to low-income, uninsured/underinsured West Virginia women between the ages of 25 and 64.

Methods: In order to understand the barriers, the WVBCCSP worked with RMS Strategies to conduct six focus groups in three different geographical areas of the state. Each area had two sets of focus group participants: women ages 25-49 and women ages 50-64. Women were recruited based on WVBCCSP eligibility guidelines.

Results: Results showed that the major barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening were cost, lack of health insurance, fear, and embarrassment. Women expressed concern about the limited number of physicians that would accept women without insurance. Most women were unfamiliar with the WVBCCSP and thought that an educational campaign was necessary to increase awareness regarding Program guidelines and available area clinics. If the health of West Virginia women is to improve, public health programs and physicians need to work together to better educate its citizens and eradicate healthcare misconceptions.