Re: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/cervical-cancer-54-q3-what-inaccurate-m...
"Men are reluctant to allow women to be screened for cervical cancer, particularly if the health worker is male. It would be interesting to understand the reasons for men's reluctance. Can anyone help?"
In India, this belief is deeply rooted in a strong patriarchal society and the cultural stigma surrounding women who need to be at home at all times with little interaction with outside men! Such behavior even in today's world in remote villages or sometimes in urban settings is considered adultery.
We counter this by involving only women advocates, doctors, and nurses who make women coming for screening comfortable by guiding them through the process. This also helps in breaking the fear of pain and bleeding thoughts associated with screening.
Thanks and Regards!
Diya
India
HIFA profile: Diya Banerjee Sur is a Consultant, clinical trial head and patient advocate, at Kolkata Gynaecologial Oncology Trials and Research Group India. I am an Empathy Design Leader in Healthcare and health sciences with more than 25+ years of experience in global institutions like Oracle HSGBU, entrepreneur in Smartnirvana working with healthcare giants like Roche, GSK, AZ, Novartis and presently serving as a consultant in GCIG outfit for a clinical trial KOLGOTRG making lives of women better with a program called The Empathy Study. An advisor in Lancet Commission working on global health policies. Advisory in GCIG OCC, AIIMS Delhi on patient studies. IRB member in TATA MEDICAL CENTER, Kolkata Professional interestes: Mission to spread awareness and screen for HPV in remote villages of India. The mission started in 2023, has gained tremendous momentum, and has reached 1000+ women (https://youtu.be/szQ-q0khSkE?si=XfXcGVMvmiTtEL_e). Interested in policy making, advocacy, and empathy studies. Email address: banerjee.diya AT gmail.com