Reactions of canadian women to the pap test and breast self-examination.

The Canadian Cancer Society's public education program is based on the premise that early detection of cancer, followed by immediate treatment, saves lives. To promote this program the Society has developed the Seven Steps to Health which include "Have a Pap test" and "Do a monthly breast self-examination." To evaluate the effect of these two 'steps' on the female population of Canada, a public opinion poll was conducted which included a national random sample of women representative of age, educational and socio-economic levels and occupation. The poll showed that 76 percent of Canadian women have had at least one Pap test and 63 percent do breast self-examination regularly or occasionally. Significant relationships were revealed between social factors and participation in these health measures and reasons are elicited for non-participation.