Cervical cancer remains an important health problem worldwide and more in developing nations. It is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the world and the second largest cause of cancer mortality in India. Cervical epithelial cell abnormalies in the Papanicolaou smear represent a spectrum of cellular abnormalies that lie along the pathway, from in–situ lesions to invasive cancer. Currently India accounts for 1/4^thof the global cervical cancer burden. Though the incidence of cervical cancer has declined in developed countries, but in developing countries like India where women do not undergo routine cervical cancer screening it is still a major health problem among women population.

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the status of women knowledge, common behaviours and attitudes pertaining to cervical cancer and its preventive aspect, symptoms, and the importance of PAP (Papanicolaou) smear test for screening. A pilot study was conducted among 170 women aged 25to 60 years. The data was collected using a valid knowledge and attitude questionnaire.

Findings: This study has shown that women in our region lack knowledge of cervical cancer and its prevention. Majority of the study population (98.5%) had poor knowledge regarding cervical cancer screening. There was no apparent difference in the mean and standard deviation of knowledge scores in the different categories of cervical cancer, symptoms and papanicolaou smear test. There is very poor knowledge of cervical cancer screening among women. Effective female education and mass screening are necessary for successful implementation of cervical cancer screening program in India especially within the rural sector inhabitants.