Asian young women less likely to be screened for cervical cancer

A substantial proportion of women who were not vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV) never received cervical cancer screening or were not up to date on screening recommendations in 2019, according to a study of 2019 data by Kalyani Sonawane (above) and her colleagues.

Asian women aged 21 to 39 were significantly less likely than White women to be screened for cervical cancer. Black women aged 30 to 39 were also less likely. 

“Poor cervical cancer screening uptake among U.S. women who are not vaccinated for HPV is a major public health concern,” the researchers concluded. “Vigorous efforts are needed to reduce existing screening disparities.”

• See “Cervical cancer screening uptake, adherence poor for young women”  on the HealthDay website (November 4, 2021)
• See the full text of the research letter “Evaluation of Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake and Adherence Among Women Without Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in the US” by Kalyani Sonawane et al.