Factors promoting breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings participation: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims at systematically reviewing research conducted on factors promoting breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings participation. Methods: A literature search in MEDLINE/PubMed and PsycInfo from January 2017 to October 2021 was performed. Data extraction, researchers' full agreement and the inclusion criteria produced 102 eligible studies. Data were narratively synthesized and critically interpreted. Results: Multiple factors favoring or hindering breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings were identified and summarized as factors operating at the individual level (background information, individual characteristics, emotions related to screening procedure and to cancer, knowledge and awareness), at the relational level (relationships with healthcare staff, significant others, community members), and at the healthcare system level (systems barriers/policy, lack of staff). A critical appraisal of studies revealed a fragmentation in the literature, with a compartmentalization of studies by type of cancer screening, country and specific populations of destination. Conclusions: Overall findings indicated that greater integration of research results obtained independently for each cancer diagnosis and within the different countries/populations could foster a more comprehensive understanding of factors potentially enhancing the participation in breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings worldwide. This review, which is grounded in the current context of globalization and superdiversification in population, can help to enhance a better integration between research and practices, by supporting the development of more effective and inclusive evidence-based interventions and health-promotion campaigns worldwide. Research and practical implications are highlighted and discussed.

Clinical and psychosocial constructs for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening participation: A systematic review

“…Although screening tests are undoubtedly advantageous for early cancer detection and treatment success, many people in the recommended age groups still do not ( Gracie et al, 2016 ; Hart et al, 1997 ; Rex et al, 2000 ; USPSTF, 2021 ; Vernon et al, 1990 ). Therefore, research has increasingly explored factors influencing participation rates in screening programs ( Authors, 2022 ), underlining a variety of barriers ( Lim & Ojo, 2017 ; Klabunde et al, 2005 ) such as individuals’ lack of knowledge and awareness ( Azubuike & Okwuokei, 2013 ; Elobaid et al, 2014 ; Mahalakshmi & Suresh, 2020 ), lack of physician recommendations ( O'Malley et al, 2001 ) or lack of heterogeneous staff for gender and ethnicity ( Alshahrani et al 2019 ); health insurance status ( Rodríguez et al, 2005 ), socioeconomic inequalities ( Maheswaran et al, 2006 ), and difficult accessibility to locations ( Chen et al, 2018 ). Furthermore, several studies have underlined the role of psycho-affective factors ( Driedger et al 2017 ; Harcourt et al, 2014 ) and meaning-making processes ( Lemmo et al, 2020 ) in influencing cancer screening decisions, such as the emotional costs associated with specific tests, namely disgust ( Kotzur et al 2019 ), shame, embarrassment, discomfort, and fear ( Blomberg et al, 2008 ; Ehrlich-Jones et al, 2021 ; Zorogastua et al 2017 ).…”

“…Fear is an emotion that crosses different levels: fear of screening in itself, previous negative experiences and fear for the results because many people consider cancer as a deadly diagnosis ( Al-Azri et al, 2020 ; Bourdeanu et al 2020 ). Nonetheless, although these studies have investigated cancer screening participation, they often lack a clear definition of the theoretical frameworks and psychological constructs driving the research, highlighting a more recent literature on the subject which is fragmented in the study of single determined factors or mediators ( Authors, 2022 ). Historically the main theoretical models that study health behaviors are part of social cognition approach (Conner & Norman, 2015), applying the key cognitions and their inter-relationships in the understanding of health behaviors, as medical service usage for cancer screening.…”

The Practice and Willingness of Women Towards Opportunistic Screening for Breast and Cervical Cancers in Sichuan Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…A recent study reviewed the factors that affected the attendance of organized screening programs for BC, CC and colorectal cancer. 22 Several factors on the individual level were directly related to the screening attendance rate, including background factors (such as social economic status, being part of a minority group), individual characteristics (such as adopting health behaviors, owning prevention-oriented concept), emotions (such as fear of screening test and screening results) and knowledge or awareness about cancer etiology and screening. 22 We hypothesized that several factors across these dimensions would affect the willingness to participate in opportunistic screening for BC and CC.…”

The Relationship between Healthcare Providers and Preventive Practices: Narratives on Access to Cancer Screening

“…Within this process, the role of medical staff members is important to ensuring the effective participation in the three types of screening [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], often characterized by a general distrust in health services from the target population [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”