Cervical cancer is one of the few preventable human cancers, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. In developing countries cervical cancer remains the most common cause of cancer related death among women. In the light of India’s rapidly growing population, the overall burden of incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in India is projected to increase by 78 % by the year 2030. It is unacceptable that every two minutes one women dies of cervical cancer where we have proven solutions to prevent and treat disease.93% of the cases can be prevented if detected early through regular screening and HPV vaccination. With the objective to assess the knowledge and practice regarding cervical cancer screening, a descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 60 women in the age group of 20 to 50 yrs attending OPD of a tertiary care centre. Structured questionnaire was administered to subjects selected by simple random sampling.50 % of the subjects  were in the age group of 31to 40 yrs. 42% possessed good knowledge regarding cervical cancer and only 18 of them were aware about screening of cervical cancer. Practice score revealed that only 4 of them have undergone screening test. Study revealed that inspite of good knowledge practice score is negligible.

Keywords: Cervical cancer screening, knowledge, practice, HPV vaccine.

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Sindhumol P K

Assistant Prof., CON Pune, India