Table 4.

Barriers to a positive decision to have a Pap test

Category	Sample quotes
Lack of awareness/limited knowledge about cervical cancer and Pap test	The doctor did a test on my uterus and then checked if I had breast cancer, using a machine. That was it. [Interviewer: Usually they collect the cell using a Q‐tip or a brush on the cervix. And then they put it in a jar and…] Yes, yes, that's it. So I did get a Pap test [Screener].
Perceptions and beliefs about gynaecological examinations, uterus, cervical cancer	Modesty:Even though it's in front of a doctor, I feel extremely humiliated when I spread my legs – I have never done that even in front of my husband. I'm okay with showing other parts like my breasts but I hate to expose myself down there [Under screener].
	Uterus is Expendable:I am done having children. So, I didn't worry too much about my uterus. I thought I could just remove it if there is a problem. So I wasn't so concerned [Never screener].
	Low Perceived Susceptibility:I'm pretty healthy. I delivered all my children just fine and had menstruation without any pain. So I don't worry so much about OB/GYN checkups [Screener].I am confident that my uterus is healthy and clean [Never screener].
	Cancer Fatalism:When she [her sister who has been diagnosed with breast cancer] showed up wearing a wig, I thought my heart stopped pounding. That's how I feel now… I am so sad and just realized, ‘the screening and treatment… are all meaningless. That is cancer [Under screener].
Repeating normal results	Everything was normal when I took the tests. I didn't see why I should get a Pap test again when there wasn't anything positive [Screener].
Difficulties in finding culturally appropriate providers	If possible, I would like my doctor to be competent. It would be nice if she were a woman and even better if she could speak Korean. But it's very difficult to find a doctor who meets all the three conditions, especially at the OB/GYN clinic [Screener].
	Because I am a woman, I would like to have a female doctor if I need one [Never screener].
Discrepancies between the South Korean and US health‐care systems	When I go to the OB/GYN, they tell me to go somewhere else to receive a mammogram… Because the medical system here is all so fragmented, there are many inconvenient situations [such as having to make multiple visits to get a cancer screening done] [Under screener].

OB/GYN, obstetrics and gynaecology.