Psychological response to cervical screening

Few studies have examined the psychological costs of cervical screening, despite expressed concern over possible negative sequelae.

Seventy-five women with mild or moderately dyskaryotic smears, under cytological surveillance, 75 women referred for colposcopy after a first-ever abnormal smear showing severe dyskaryosis, and 75 controls with recent negative cytology were interviewed at home, and their psychological adjustment was assessed.

Levels of distress were higher among women with an abnormal smear than among controls with a recent negative smear. Anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale range 0-21, "normal" range 0-7) was highest among those referred for colposcopy (mean 8.12, controls 5.88, P < 0.001); afterward, distress fell (mean 6.61, P < 0.001) but more problems of social adjustment were evident (surveillance vs controls, P < 0.01). High anxiety was associated with social maladjustment (colposcopy, P < 0.001; surveillance, P < 0.01) and negative feelings about the self (P < 0.05). Current anxiety was unrelated to knowledge about abnormal smears, but in the surveillance group was related to satisfaction with the explanation provided (P < 0.05).

A positive cervical smear may by psychologically traumatic for a significant minority of women, irrespective of management strategy.