O-52 “That’s our culture…”: Understanding Cervical Cancer Stigma Through Caribbean Voices

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using nine focus group discussions involving 69 participants (54 women and 15 men) recruited from community organizations, health centers, and cancer support networks. Semistructured interviews explored perceptions of cervical cancer, its causes, screening, and healthcare experiences. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes related to stigma, cultural beliefs, healthcare trust, and social norms.

Results: Six primary themes emerged: (1) Cancer-related stigma and fear, characterized by cancer fatalism and perceptions of cancer as a death sentence; (2) Cultural beliefs linking cervical cancer to promiscuity and divine punishment; (3) Knowledge gaps and misinformation about cancer causes and screening procedures; (4) Gender and societal expectations that reinforced social judgment of women; (5) Barriers to screening and HPV vaccination, including healthcare mistrust, confidentiality concerns, and cost; and (6) Family history and hereditary concerns, often shrouded in secrecy due to stigma. Participants highlighted a lack of confidentiality in healthcare settings, which amplified fear and discouraged health-seeking behaviors.

Conclusion: The findings reveal that cervical cancerrelated stigma in the Caribbean is shaped by deep-rooted cultural beliefs, misinformation, and limited healthcare trust. Addressing these barriers requires culturally sensitive public health campaigns, enhanced healthcare system confidentiality, and regionally coordinated HPV vaccination and cancer prevention initiatives.