Brief Reports
Is Cancer Screening a Priority among Adult Females in Sri Lanka?
Authors:
Y.P.J.N. Warnasekara ,
Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences , Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, LK
M.K. Gamakumbura,
Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences , Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, LK
S.D. Konthota,
Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences , Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, LK
L.S.K. LIyanage,
Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences , Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, LK
B.A.D. Lakpriya,
Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences , Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, LK
S.B. Agampodi
Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences , Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, LK
Abstract
We assessed the use of well women clinics (WWC) screening services for cervical and breast cancer prevention in a sample of females attending the largest religious festival in Sri Lanka. Of the 3,116 women studied, 2, 874(92.2%) were aware on breast cancer and 2, 609(83.7%) on cervical carcinoma. Of them only 1,895 (60.8%) were aware of the WWC services, but only 578 (18.5%) had ever used the services. Of the 217 professionals or associate professionals in the study sample, 190 (87.6%) were aware of the WWC compared to only 58.8% among the 2,899 women falling under the categories of other occupations and housewives. Clinic attendance was also significantly higher amongst professionals and associate professionals compared to women in other occupational categories and housewives (40.1% versus 16.9%). Use of cancer screening services are low and new strategies needed to improve the secondary prevention of these cancers in Sri Lanka.
How to Cite:
Warnasekara, Y.P.J.N., Gamakumbura, M.K., Konthota, S.D., LIyanage, L.S.K., Lakpriya, B.A.D. and Agampodi, S.B., 2018. Is Cancer Screening a Priority among Adult Females in Sri Lanka?. Anuradhapura Medical Journal, 11(1), pp.11–13. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/amj.v11i1.7639
Published on
18 Sep 2018.
Peer Reviewed
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