Introduction/Background Around 570000 women are diagnosed annually with cervical cancer (CC), and more than half of them die from this disease. The study aimed to explore cognitive, emotional and behavioural characteristics in women diagnosed with CC.

Methodology A mixed-method cross-sectional survey was developed and conducted on a sample of Romanian women.

Results A need for more information regarding cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination was mentioned by many women. Emotional responses focused on fear of being diagnosed with cancer and feeling uncomfortable regarding the gynaecological examination. Low perceived susceptibility and lack of benefits or recommendations were mentioned, while only symptoms prompted check-ups. Being diagnosed led to prospective worries, beliefs that screening or vaccination could have helped prevent cervical cancer, guilt, embarrassment and regret or fear of dying. Interestingly, women were not involved in any behaviour that could encourage HPV vaccination, having only a declarative intention but not a behavioural one, while most of them mentioned having a hard time deciding if to vaccinate or not.

Conclusion Fear, guilt and embarrassment were found to be the salient emotions in women before and after diagnosis; lack or not knowing what to do with low perceived susceptibility created a sense of powerlessness.

Disclosures The authors have nothing to disclose.