Late Stage Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer: Factors Associated with Late Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Cancer in Nepal

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among Nepali women. In the context of high prevalence of late stage diagnosis of cancer in Nepal, this study was carried out to explore the factors associated with late stage diagnosis of cervical cancer and delayed treatment. This study estimated the lags in different stage of diagnostic journey of cervical cancer starting from onset of symptoms to diagnosis. Illiteracy, poor health awareness, poor health seeking behaviors, negligence of gynecological symptoms were found as the major factors contributing for late stage diagnosis. Findings of this study may support to build appropriate public health interventions to reduce the proportion of late stage diagnosis and mortality from cervical cancer.