Objective:

To evaluate the screening status of US women aged 45 to 64 years for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer, highlighting the public health implications of these screenings and examining associations with sociodemographic factors and health care access.

Key Findings:

• 50% of women were up to date with all 3 recommended screenings.
• 29% were up to date with 2 screenings, 13% with 1 screening, and 8% were not up to date with any.
• 17.9 million women were due for at least 1 screening test, including 10.3 million for a single screening and 7.6 million for multiple screenings.
• Colorectal cancer screening had the largest unmet need, with 12.6 million women overdue.
• 52% of women due for colorectal screening were also due for breast and/or cervical screening.
• Access-related factors were strongly associated with screening participation.

Interpretation:

Older age, higher educational attainment, and higher household income were linked to higher screening completion rates, indicating a need for targeted public health interventions. Women aged 45 to 49 years, particularly those overdue for colorectal cancer screening, represent a key outreach target.

Limitations:

• Self-reported screening histories may have inaccuracies.
• Exclusion of Tennessee from the survey creates a geographic gap.
• Potential nonresponse bias due to a 44% overall survey response rate.
• Changes in cervical cancer screening questions may complicate comparisons with prior years.

Conclusion:

The study highlights significant gaps in cancer screening among women, particularly in colorectal cancer, and suggests the need for targeted outreach and intervention strategies, including community health initiatives.