Abstract LB140: Age difference in cervical cancer stigma among Caribbean population

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Cervical cancer (CCA) is the second most common cancer and one of the leading causes of death among women in the Caribbean region. CCA stigma impedes women from seeking and obtaining relevant healthcare. This study aimed to evaluate age difference in cancer stigma among non-patient populations in Jamaica, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago, utilizing a culturally trans-created scale. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 1207 participants was conducted. The survey comprised the adapted Cancer Stigma Scale, supplemented with questions on cervical cancer knowledge and beliefs. Participants' knowledge and attitudes towards the HPV vaccine were also assessed. Data was collected online from October 2022 to March 2023. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS. Results This study included 33.4% of total participants aged 18-25 years, 23.4% aged 26-35 years, 21.4 aged 36-45 years, 10.7% aged 46-55 years, 7.5% aged 56-65 years, and 3.6% aged 65+ years. Chi-squared tests showed age is significantly related to respondents’ opinions on women with CCA are treated with less respect than usual by others (p<.0001), women with CCA must keep it a secret (p=0.03), women with CCA are rejected by family members (p=0.0007), women with CCA are rejected by intimate partners (p<.0001), and intimate partners blame women for having CCA (p=0.003). Additionally, age has significant associations with agreements on negative views of cervical cancer from the community (p<.0001) and family (p<.0001) may discourage women from seeking and obtaining screening and treatment and community members believe CCA is viewed as shameful (p=.0001). Notably, there are more younger respondents (18-25 years) who agreed that women with CCA are rejected by intimate partners (32.3%), and the fear of family reaction and rejection may discourage women from getting further diagnosis after an abnormal Pap smear (48.1%). Discussion Age is an important factor that influences cervical cancer stigma even in Caribbean contexts. Findings of this study indicate younger people may have a more serious stigma, which calls for proper educational programs for cervical cancer screening and treatment. Citation Format: Kamilah Thomas-Purcell, Gaole Song, Diadrey-Anne Sealy, Althea Bailey, Kimlin T. Ashing. Age difference in cervical cancer stigma among Caribbean population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr LB140.