Psychology & Health

‘Hit me like a brick wall’: women’s accounts of balancing cancer survivorship with fertility concerns while dealing with gynaecological cancer

‘… but I live in hope …’ how the term ‘survivor’ impacts identity and feelings of inclusivity in survivorship services following ovarian cancer treatment

To understand how individuals with ovarian cancer interpret and identify with the term 'survivor' and if this impacts survivorship service uptake and whether individuals feel included or identify with these services following treatment within the Australian context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 individuals aged 40-72 ( Two themes were generated, Support services and strategies (such as social prescribing) should be routinely offered following treatment within Australia. Terminology should be informed by individuals with ovarian cancer, thereby supporting moving forward with life in ways that are tailored to specific needs and wants.

‘Well that’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! No excuse’. A discourse analysis of social media users’ othering of non-attenders for cervical screening

The interplay between ovarian cancer and social relationships: an analysis of patients’ metaphors

Research showed that ovarian cancer poses unique challenges to patients' care experiences and that patients' social networks could affect their care path significantly. The present study aimed to analyse the metaphors that patients used to signify the impact of the illness on their social relationships and the role of relationships in dealing with cancer. Following a qualitative description approach we conducted 38 semi-structured interviews with Australian (14) and Italian (24) women diagnosed at different stages of ovarian cancer. The analysis identified four themes bringing together the meanings expressed by participants' metaphors: Lack of comprehension and communication; Isolation, marginalisation, and self-isolation; Discrepancy between the private and public self; and Social relationships as empowerment resources. The polysemic nature of patients' metaphors captures both the empowering and especially disempowering role of social relationships in dealing with ovarian cancer. Results also show that metaphors are used to make sense of the impact of ovarian cancer on social relationships and to express different strategies for managing patients' networks.

Perceived barriers and facilitators to attendance for cervical cancer screening in EU member states: a systematic review and synthesis using the Theoretical Domains Framework

To identify and synthesise peer-reviewed, published literature reporting perceived barriers and facilitators associated with cervical cancer screening attendance in EU member states with organised population-based screening programmes. Quantitative and qualitative studies reporting perceived barriers/facilitators to attendance for cervical cancer screening were searched for in databases Embase, HMIC, Medline and PsycInfo. Data were extracted and deductively coded to the Theoretical Domains Framework domains and inductive thematic analysis within domains was employed to identify specific barriers or facilitators to attendance for cervical cancer screening. 38 studies were included for data extraction. Five theoretical domains ['Emotion' (89% of the included studies), 'Social influences' (79%), 'Knowledge' (76%), 'Environmental Context and Resources' (74%) and 'Beliefs about Consequences' (68%)] were identified as key domains influencing cervical cancer screening attendance. Five theoretical domains were identified as prominent influences on cervical cancer screening attendance in EU member states with organised population-based screening programmes. Further research is needed to identify the relative importance of different influences for different sub-populations and to identify the influences that are most appropriate and feasible to address in future interventions.

Psychosocial impact of inclusion of HPV test on the management of women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance: a study within a randomised pragmatic trial in a middle-income country

Determinants of routine cervical screening participation in underserved women: a qualitative systematic review

Routine, population-wide cervical screening programmes reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality. However, socioeconomically deprived communities and ethnic minority groups typically have lower uptake in comparison to the general population and thus are described as 'underserved.' A systematic qualitative literature review was conducted to identify relevant determinants of participation for these groups. Online databases were searched for relevant literature from countries with well-established, call-recall screening programmes. Overall, 24 articles were eligible for inclusion. Data was synthesized via Framework synthesis. Dahlgren & Whitehead's social model of health was used as a broad Participation was influenced by determinants at multiple levels. Overall, patient-provider relationships and peer support facilitated engagement. Cultural disparities, past healthcare experience and practical barriers hindered service access and exacerbated negative thoughts, feelings and attitudes towards participation. Complex interrelationships between determinants suggest barriers have a cumulative effect on screening participation. These findings present a framework of psychosocial determinants of cervical screening uptake in underserved women and emphasise the role of policy makers and practitioners in reducing structural barriers to screening services. Additional work, exploring the experience of those living within socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, is needed to strengthen understanding in this area.