Abstract
Cancer is a public health problem, primarily in developing countries. Elderly women are more prone to contracting different diseases, including sexual related neoplasms. The aim of this study was to determine the strategies used and knowledge regarding the prevention of cervical cancer in elderly women. This is a cross-sectional observational study. The sample was comprised of elderly women residents from the Brazilian Northeastern city who attended a coexistence group for elder people. After sample, calculation was obtained N of 209 participants. Associations between the independent and dependent variables were analyzed using the chi-squared test, considering p ≤ 0.05 as significant. The following programs were used for statistical analyses: Excel (Microsoft Office®), to tabulate the data and prepare the tables and Bioestat® 5.3 to test the associations. The prevalent age range was 60 to 70 years; most of the subjects were retired and had secondary schooling. Although a large number of those interviewed knew about cervical cancer, their knowledge was insufficient to take preventive measures. It is important that the elderly undergo a Pap smear, since the number of increasing cervical cancer cases is known to increase in this age range. In the coming decades, Brazil will have a significant elderly population, reaffirming the growing need for educational campaigns related to the health of elderly women, encouraging self-care and prevention in old age.
Highlights
In the third and last block of questions, the elderly reported on what they knew about cervical cancer prevention, as Table 2 and Table 3
Sociodemographic variables more closely linked to preventive measures were used in conjunction with the preventive measures variables contained in the second block of questions on the questionnaire
The present study demonstrated that most of the elderly interviewed were knowledgeable about cervical cancer and adopted preventive measures, but a number of gaps were observed with respect to preventive practices and knowledge
Summary
The World Cancer Report of 2014, published by the World Health Organization (WHO), estimated that 80% of the more than 20 million new cancer cases forecast by the year 2025 will occur in developing countries with a mortality rate of 70% [1]. Smoking, early sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners and the use of oral contraception are important risk factors for the development of cervical cancer Another important factor in the HPV infection process is the womans age. Mortality rates for cancer in the elderly are progressively rising, making this disease the second leading cause of death in this population group, with cervical cancer ranking third in women [5]. Women are more prone to developing numerous diseases, including sexual related neoplasms, which are an important cause of morbidity and determinant of mortality in seniors. The lack of awareness in these individuals interferes directly in self-care
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