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Impact of abnormal screening results, pre-cancerous lesions and cervical cancer
An abnormal cervical screening result, which may be indicative of pre-cancerous lesions, can cause significant anxiety and distress (Bell et al 1995; Lerman et al 1991). A diagnosis of cervical cancer and its subsequent treatment can also have a significant impact on a woman’s quality of life (QoL) (Basen-Engquist et al 2003; Greimel and Bottomley 2001; Pearman 2003).
On average, cervical cancer takes approximately 18 years off a woman’s life (derived from Yang et al 2004). Premature death from cervical cancer affects women in the prime of their lives, often while they still have family and economic responsibilities.
The healthcare cost of screening women to detect the early stages of cervical cancer is enormous, and the active management of women with adverse screening results adds additional costs to the healthcare system. A considerable percentage of this time and money is spent on the follow up and work up of the abnormal cervical screening results. The cost of screening for cervical cancer is high – estimated at £150 million in England when the cost of treating cervical abnormalities is included (UK Government Statistical Services 2004), and more than $6 billion in the USA (Schiller and Davies 2004). And in many countries treatment may be inaccessible or unavailable (Jacob et al 2005).
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