Effect of Health Beliefs on Delays in Care for Abnormal Cervical Cytology in a Multiethnic Population

摘要

CONTEXTWomen from racial and ethnic minorities in the United States have higher rates of cervical cancer and present with later stage disease compared to whites. Delays in care for abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) smears can lead to missed cases of cervical cancer or late-stage presentation and may be one explanation for these differences.