More information equates with less anxiety. Reducing anxiety in cervical screening.

1. Anxiety may be a factor influencing attendance for cervical screening. 2. Anxiety may be caused by stress and embarrassment of the test procedure and/or misunderstanding its purpose. 3. Women who were given the routine procedure were compared with a study group who were given an extra 10 minutes discussion by nurses. 4. The study group rated the explanation as being clearer, and after receiving the result they reported significantly less anxiety than those in the routine group.