Abstract: Objective: To explore the factors influencing help-seeking behaviors for cancer symptoms in cervical cancer patients and provide evidence for early diagnosis, early treatment, and improved treatment outcomes. Methods: Using phenomenological methods and purposive sampling method, cervical cancer patients hospitalized in a tertiary grade A hospital in Beijing from August to November 2024 were selected as subjects. Data were collected via semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using content analysis, based on the social ecological model. Results: Three main themes and 12 sub-themes were identified: micro system (disease cognition, knowledge level, screening attitude, health beliefs, symptom severity and persistence), meso system (health knowledge dissemination, work and family responsibilities, social support, economic condition), and macro system (disease stigma, healthcare accessibility, past medical experiences, insurance policies). Conclusion: Help-seeking behaviors in cervical cancer patients are influenced by personal, environmental, and policy factors. Healthcare workers can offer targeted interventions based on the social ecosystem to promote these behaviors, achieving early diagnosis, early treatment, and better outcomes.

Key words: cervical cancer; help-seeking behaviour for cancer symptom; social ecological model; qualitative study