To examine the multifaceted obstacles associated with cancer screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer, highlighting the significance of addressing disparities in access.
Key Findings:
28 million US residents lacked insurance in 2020, limiting access to cancer screening, particularly among marginalized groups.
65% to 83% of individuals do not undergo prostate and lung cancer screenings, respectively, indicating a critical gap in preventive care.
One-fifth of women surveyed had not undergone routine screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.
Interpretation:
The study highlights significant disparities in cancer screening access due to various individual, systemic, and societal barriers, including financial constraints and health literacy.
Limitations:
Study limited to participants enrolled in the NIH All of Us program, which may not represent the entire population, potentially skewing results.
Data collection relied on self-reported information, which may be subject to bias, affecting the reliability of the findings.
Conclusion:
Understanding the barriers to cancer screening can inform public health initiatives, such as targeted outreach programs, and improve clinician counseling for diverse patient populations.
by Aaron A. Gurayah, Anjile An, Manish Kuchakulla, Faith Morley, Daniel M. Markowitz, Jialin Mao, Meenakshi Davuluri, Bashir Al Hussein Al Awamlh, David M. Nanus, Rulla M. Tamimi, Kevin H. Kensler
