Cervical cancer is one of the only cancers that can be completely prevented due to the natural course of the disease. The long latent period from primary insult by the HPV virus to the development of cervical cancer provides the perfect opportunity for early detection of pre-cancerous lesions through screening. Early detection not only has a high cost-benefit ratio and improves treatment outcomes, but also saves the lives of thousands of women every year.

The poor attendance for cervical cancer screening in Sri Lanka leads to significant delays in cervical cancer diagnosis. Delays in diagnosis considerably contribute to the morbidity and mortality in Sri Lanka caused by cervical cancer, as well as the cost of treatment of the disease borne by the government healthcare services.

The purpose of this knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) study is to identify factors related to the client, including the client’s thinking and rationale, that may potentially hinder or improve uptake of the cervical cancer screening programme. This will assist policymakers when reforming the screening programme to improve attendance, reduce the disease burden and lessen healthcare expenditures.

Improving pap smear screening attendance and restructuring the screening programme will also assist Sri Lanka in reaching the second WHO target towards eliminating cervical cancer; ensuring 70% of eligible Sri Lankan women are screened for cervical cancer. The primary objective however, is to ensure that all Sri Lankan women are screened, regardless of targets, leaving no woman behind.

A descriptive cross-sectional study will be conducted to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst women eligible for cervical cancer screening in the MOH Battaramulla area of Sri Lanka.

Data collection will take place over a maximum period of 4 weeks.