Idiosyncratic ambivalence: A three-dimensional interpretative model to understand the non-adhesion of women to breast and cervical cancer screening

Abstract

Health programs offer screening activities for the early detection of cancer in vulnerable population, but record very low participation rates. The authors have a theoretical framework to investigate the complexity of the phenomenon, in the psychodynamic and ethical dimensions, specific to women. In this study, the authors used semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the meaning-making processes of women who do not practice breast and cervical cancer prevention in Southern Italy neither in the public health-care system, nor in private health facilities. Three superordinate themes have emerged: taking care of oneself would be to love oneself; difficult contact with a sexual body;at the end, the fate decides . We highlight three levels in the psychism that underlie the behavior of not doing prevention: body-> affects-> thought. Understanding these psychic level mechanisms permits to support women's health policy, reducing costs and promoting health.