Practices and Knowledge on the Prevention of Cervical Cancer in Elderly Women

Cancer is a public health problem, primarily in developing countries. Elderly women are more prone to contracting different diseases, including sexual related neoplasms. The aim of this study was to determine the strategies used and knowledge regarding the prevention of cervical cancer in elderly women. This is a cross-sectional observational study. The sample was comprised of elderly women residents from the Brazilian Northeastern city who attended a coexistence group for elder people. After sample, calculation was obtained N of 209 participants. Associations between the independent and dependent variables were analyzed using the chi-squared test, considering p ≤ 0.05 as significant. The following programs were used for statistical analyses: Excel (Microsoft Office®), to tabulate the data and prepare the tables and Bioestat® 5.3 to test the associations. The prevalent age range was 60 to 70 years; most of the subjects were retired and had secondary schooling. Although a large number of those interviewed knew about cervical cancer, their knowledge was insufficient to take preventive measures. It is important that the elderly undergo a Pap smear, since the number of increasing cervical cancer cases is known to increase in this age range. In the coming decades, Brazil will have a significant elderly population, reaffirming the growing need for educational campaigns related to the health of elderly women, encouraging self-care and prevention in old age.