Baseline anxiety and knowledge level of abnormal pap smear results and colposcopy procedure in patients presenting to colposcopy clinic

Cervical cancer is the third most common gynecologic cancer and cause of gynecologic cancer-related death in the United States. The overwhelming majority of cervical cancers are related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. It is estimated that there is an incidence of 14,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer each year in the United States. Colposcopy and loop electrode excision procedure (LEEP) are potential treatment procedures performed for abnormal Pap smears. Abnormal results and the need for these procedures are known to be associated with high anxiety levels, misconceptions, and a low level of understanding. Our study aimed to assess the anxiety levels and baseline knowledge level of the women undergoing these procedures. We believe this is an important area of study, as high stress and poor understanding may be linked to disparities in adherence to abnormal Pap smear follow-up procedures and, therefore, cervical cancer incidence and death.