Dear HIFA colleagues,
Q4: Can you share an example where information or misinformation influenced someone’s decision to seek or avoid cervical cancer screening or treatment?
Examples and anecdotes from our own personal and professional experience are hugely valuable. They remind us of the human aspects of health care and the consequences of reliable information versus misinformation. If you would like to share an experience concerning you or others, please email: hifa@hifaforums.org Thank you, N
Here is an example from The Oncologist (2025/6):
https://academic.oup.com/oncolo/article/31/1/oyaf412/8379612
'A women explained [Zambia]: “I was told that the metal [speculum] for testing for the cancer is what brings the cancer … I refused at that time, I did not get tested”'
'Other women had heard that the examination was painful and that taking a biopsy would leave a permanent scar.'
And from the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (again from Zambi)
'Another woman had been led to believe that treatment involved inserting a hot iron bar into her vagina to burn away the cancer. She became so frightened that she began questioning whether she should continue with treatment.'
https://www.international-journal-of-gynecological-cancer.com/article/S1...
Here is another example:
'Nobomi [South Africa]consulted online sources when she experienced heavy bleeding and pain for more than 12 months. The online information seemed to indicate that her contraceptive could be the cause of her symptoms, resulting in a further delay of almost another year before she sought medical attention for a diagnosis [and was diagnosed with cervical cancer].'
Two other participants, Felicia and Fundiswa, reported receiving misleading information, this time from health care professionals after they screened positive for cervical cancer... Fundiswa was told by health care professionals that cervical cancer could be attributed to abortion...
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00812463221148323
Best wishes, Neil
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org