Causal attribution to cervical cancer

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the causal attribution for cervical cancer for women with and without the disease. Seventy-eight (78) users from the public healthcare system participated, which were divided into: a clinical group (CG) of women with cervical cancer and a non-clinical group (NCG) of women without cervical cancer. A Form covering sociodemographic and clinical data was utilized along with the Portuguese version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire for ill patients and healthy people. The responses were grouped into six categories: 1) Psychological attributions; 2) Behavioral risk factors; 3) Biological factors; 4) Bad luck; 5) Lack of resources; 6) Chemical agents. The CG attributed more emotional causes to the Cervical Cancer while the NCG more causes associated with behavioral risk factors. These results suggest that women with cancer may blame themselves for the illness. Distorted beliefs about the etiology of cervical cancer can harm preventative conduct and self-care practices.