Cervical Cancer Screening Practices and Barriers among Women in Nepal

Abstract

Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix which is caused by sexually-acquired infection with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Cervical cancer screening is the systematic application of Pap smear test to identify cervical abnormalities in an asymptomatic population. This paper tries to give an overview of cervical cancer screening practices and barriers in Nepal. During preparation of review paper various published Literature were obtained and reviewed from international journal and local newspaper and analyzed. In case of Nepal cervical cancer screening is still not giving high priority by women. Likewise Vaccine against HPV is not yet easily available in Nepal for early detection of cervical cancer due to lack of financial resources. High incidence of cervical cancer result due lack of awareness and knowledge, Pap test and HPV vaccine. Socio-cultural factors, low fund, less laboratory services, lack of privacy and informed consent pose barriers to have routine screening practices.