ArticleBMJ open2015
Women's interpretation of and responses to potential gynaecological cancer symptoms: a qualitative interview study.
Article in BMJ open, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 25 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
25 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delays and disruptions in cancer care services: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nature cancer · 2025Pooled it
- Barriers to seeking consultation for abnormal uterine bleeding: systematic review of qualitative research.BMC women's health · 2020Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Observational
- Exploring women's knowledge and their perception of risk of uterine cancer in Lagos, Nigeria: a multi-facility based cross-sectional study.Ecancermedicalscience · 2025Article
- Evaluation of online text-based information resources of gynaecological cancer symptoms.Cancer medicine · 2024Article
- Healthcare use and clinical investigations before a diagnosis of ovarian cancer: a register-based study in Denmark.BMC primary care · 2023Observational
- Using Shopping Data to Improve the Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer: Computational Analysis of a Web-Based Survey.JMIR cancer · 2023Article
- Women's experiences along the ovarian cancer diagnostic pathway in Catalonia: A qualitative study.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2023Article
- Pathways to ovarian cancer diagnosis: a qualitative study.BMC women's health · 2022Article
- Is concern for gynaecological alarm symptoms associated with healthcare-seeking? A Danish population-based cross-sectional study.BMC public health · 2022Article
- Treatment cost and access to care: experiences of young women diagnosed with breast cancer.Cancer causes & control : CCC · 2020Article
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- Article
- Article
- Self-Care Behaviors of Ovarian Cancer Patients Before Their Diagnosis: Proof-of-Concept Study.JMIR cancer · 2019Article
- Article
- Understanding sexual healthcare seeking behaviour: why a broader research perspective is needed.BMC health services research · 2017Article
- Wasting the doctor's time? A video-elicitation interview study with patients in primary care.Social science & medicine (1982) · 2017Article
- The impact of body vigilance on help-seeking for cancer 'alarm' symptoms: a community-based survey.BMC public health · 2016Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveTo explore women's experiences of symptoms potentially indicative of gynaecological cancer in a community-based sample without imposing a cancer perspective.
designA qualitative interview study with thematic analysis of transcripts.
participants26 women aged ≥30 years, who had experienced a symptom that might indicate gynaecological cancer in the past 3 months, were recruited using a screening questionnaire distributed online and in community settings.
settingLondon, UK.
resultsWomen attributed gynaecological symptoms to existing illnesses/conditions or considered themselves to be predisposed to them, either through their 'genes' or previous personal experience. Normalising symptoms by attributing them to demographic characteristics (eg, age, sex) was common, as was considering them a side effect of hormonal contraception. When women raised cancer as a possible cause, they often dismissed it as unlikely. Responses to symptoms included self-management (eg, self-medicating, making lifestyle changes), adopting a 'lay system of care', or consulting a healthcare professional. Triggers to help-seeking included persistent, painful or debilitating symptoms, concern about symptom seriousness, and feeling that help-seeking was legitimised. Barriers to help-seeking included lack of concern, vague symptoms, unusual symptom location, competing time demands, previous negative experiences with the healthcare system, and not wanting to be perceived as a time-waster.
conclusionsAttributions of symptoms potentially indicative of a gynaecological cancer were varied, but most often involved women fitting symptoms into their expectations of what was 'normal'. Normalising acted as a barrier to seeking help from a healthcare professional, alongside competing time demands and negative attitudes towards help-seeking. These barriers may lead to later diagnosis and poorer cancer survival. Our findings could be used to inform the development of interventions to encourage appropriate help-seeking.
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