Factors for Participation of Korean Women in Cervical Cancer Screening by Age

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in the world and the 8th leading cause of cancer-related death in Korea (Miller et al., 1991; Whynes et al., 2007; Korea Ministry of Health & Welfare and Center, 2010). A regular Papanicolaou (Pap) test has been shown to be effective in detecting not only cancerous but also precancerous cells that can be removed (Paley, 2001; Lee et al., 2002; Abdullah and Su, 2010; Ibekwe et al., 2010). While the effectiveness of the Pap test has never been evaluated in a randomized controlled trial, observational studies have consistently shown dramatic reductions in the cervical cancer mortality rate after the implementation of population-based screening programs (Macgregor et al., 1985; Geirsson et al., 1986; Eddy, 1990; Allen, 1991; Miller et al., 1991; Houston et al., 1998; Taylor et al.,