Abstract A03: Understanding cervical cancer screening among lesbians: a national survey

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine cervical cancer screening behaviors among lesbians in the US, a population who has documented low rates of cervical cancer screening, despite their risk of contracting the disease. Procedures: A standardized internet survey was sent to 3,000 self-identified lesbians across the US. The survey assessed the participants' recent cervical cancer screening behaviors and perceived barriers to screening. Results: The sample consisted of 1,006 respondents, representing every region of the US. Sixty-two percent of the weighted sample were routine screeners. Lack of a physician referral (17.5%) and lack of a physician (17.3%) were the most commonly-cited top reasons for lack of screening. Adjusting for age, education, relationship status, employments status, and insurance status, women who had disclosed their sexual orientation to their primary care physician (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.84 [95% confidence interval 1.82-4.45]) or gynecologist (OR 2.30 [1.33-3.96]) had greater odds of routine screening than those who did not. Those who knew that lack of Pap testing is a risk factor for cervical cancer were also more likely to be routine screeners (OR 1.95 [1.30-2.91]), although no association with screening was apparent for women who had more knowledge of general cervical cancer risk factors. Physician recommendation appeared to be a potent determinant of regular screening behavior. Routine screeners perceived more benefits and fewer barriers to screening, and higher susceptibility to cervical cancer, than did women who did not routinely screen. Conclusions: Women who identify as lesbian are at potentially elevated risk of cervical cancer because they are not routinely screened. Evidence-based interventions should be developed that address critical health beliefs that undermine participation in screening. Given the value placed on physician recommendation, patient-provider communication may serve as the optimal mode for intervention delivery. Citation Format: J. Kathleen Tracy. Understanding cervical cancer screening among lesbians: A national survey. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A03.