ERIC Number: EJ773452
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 7
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Actual versus Perceived Risk of Cervical Cancer among College Women Smokers
Saules, Karen K.; Vannest, Neo O.; Mehringer, Ann M.; Pomerleau, Cynthia S.; Lee, Keleigh; Opipari, Anthony W.; Midgley, A. Rees; Kleinsmith, Lewis J.; Sen, Ananda; Snedecor, Sandy M.
Journal of American College Health, v55 n4 p207-213 Jan-Feb 2007
Cervical cancer is a well-established smoking-related illness, but many at-risk women are unaware of this link. Objective: The authors designed this study to (1) investigate the relationship of smoking behavior with the history of abnormal Pap test results, sexual history, and perceived risk of cervical cancer and (2) determine whether self-classified smoking status (and hence perceived risk) corresponds with actual smoking behavior in a college student population. Participants and Method Summary: College women students (N = 135) completed a survey assessing smoking history, health history, sexual risk behavior, and risk awareness. Results: Relative to those who had not smoked in the past month, current smokers (n = 36, or 27% of the total sample) perceived themselves to be at higher risk for developing cervical cancer, but did not demonstrate increased awareness of specific cervical cancer risk factors, including smoking. Twenty-eight percent (10 of 36) of past-month smokers did not define themselves as "current smokers". Conclusion: The authors conclude that antismoking and health-related messages targeting "smokers" may misfire for individuals who do not define themselves as "smokers" but are nonetheless at risk for smoking-related consequences and escalating use. (Contains 3 figures and 1 table.)
Descriptors: At Risk Persons, Cancer, Smoking, Females, Student Attitudes, College Students, Health Behavior, Student Behavior, Sexuality, Health Promotion, Self Concept
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A