Understanding the Treatment Seeking Behavior of Women with Cervical Cancer in Tribal Parts of Central India

High mortality due to cervical cancer in India is mainly driven by women presenting at a health facility at an advanced stage. This chapter explores illness experiences and factors affecting treatment-seeking behavior among socio-economically disadvantaged women with cervical cancer living in tribal districts of Chhattisgarh in central India. Delays were identified at three stages of the healthcare-seeking pathway. The first stage was from the onset of symptoms to seeking care. Shame and stigma surrounding women’s sexual and reproductive health, gender norms and inequalities limiting autonomy in decision-making to seek care, especially for gynecological problems, and limited access to information and resources for their sexual and reproductive health needs contributed to delays in initial treatment-seeking. The second stage was in accessing formal healthcare. Traditional healers, faith healers, and unqualified healthcare providers tended to be the first point of contact, delaying appropriate care. The final barrier was diagnostic and treatment delay after reaching the formal healthcare system. Despite being based on 2014 data, these findings remain relevant in 2023, as cervical cancer screening rates remain dismal and presentation at late stages continues.