NONADHERENCE TO FOLLOW-UP TREATMENT OF AN ABNORMAL PAP SMEAR - A CASE-STUDY

This article is a case study of a 32-year-old African-American woman d iagnosed with an abnormal Pap smear, who did not follow through with t he recommended colposcopy procedure. This case study highlights the ro le of illness explanatory models in nonadherence to follow-up treatmen t for an abnormal Pap smear illness explanatory models are an individu al's personal interpretation of the illness. Research indicates that p atients' illness explanatory models may not agree with biomedical expl anations, but may sometimes have an adverse impact on health and illne ss behavior. This case study draws attention to the impact of illness explanatory models of cancer resulting from experience with cancer in the family, personal belief systems, and spiritual faith on the patien t's decision not to follow through with recommended treatment for an a bnormal Pap smear. Addressing illness explanatory models is of clinica l importance in determining methods that will motivate women to follow through with treatment protocols when diagnosed with an abnormal Pap smear. Further in-depth study of the role these explanatory models of cancer play in nonadherence to treatment protocols is needed.