Socioeconomic disparities in the uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening in Italy: a cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundBreast and cervical cancer screening are widely recognized as effective preventive procedures in reducing cancer mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic disparities in the uptake of female screening in Italy, with a specific focus on different types of screening programs.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2004-2005 national health interview survey. A sample of 15, 486 women aged 50-69 years for mammography and one of 35, 349 women aged 25-64 years for Pap smear were analysed. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between socioeconomic factors and female screening utilization.ResultsEducation and occupation were positively associated with attendance to both screening. Women with higher levels of education were more likely to have a mammogram than those with a lower level (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.10-1.49). Women of intermediate and high occupational classes were more likely to use breast cancer screening (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.55-2.03, OR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.40-1.91) compared to unemployed women. Women in the highest occupational class had a higher likelihood of cervical cancer screening compared to those in the lowest class (OR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.63-2.01). Among women who attended screening, those with lower levels of education and lower occupational classes were more likely than more advantaged women to attend organized screening programs rather than being screened on the basis of their own initiative.ConclusionsInequalities in the uptake of female screening widely exist in Italy. Organized screening programs may have an important role in increasing screening attendance and tackling inequalities.

Cancer Screening in Korea, 2012: Results from the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey

“…In a recent Italian study, education and occupation were positively associated with breast and cervical cancer screening (Damiani et al, 2012). Previous Korean studies have also reported that cancer screening rates are associated with age and socioeconomic status such as education level and household income (Kwak et al, 2005;Myong et al, 2012;.…”

Promoting Attendance at Cervical Cancer Screening: Understanding the Relationship with Turkish Womens' Health Beliefs

“…The findings can also explain by the fact that the study hospital serves women mostly at low socioeconomic and educational level. Damiani et al (2012) determined that among women who attended screening, those with lower levels of education and lower occupational classes were more likely than more advantaged women to attend organized screening programs rather than being screened on the basis of their own initiative. Perry (2001) emphasized that younger women are more likely to seek contraceptive advice from either general practitioner or the practice nurse, and this should be used as an opportunity to promote smear testing and offer opportunistic screening, if appropriate.…”

Neighborhood deprivation and risk of cervical cancer morbidity and mortality: A multilevel analysis from Sweden

“…To further reduce the burden of this cancer, vaccination against HPV infection has recently been introduced in Sweden and other western countries. However, socioeconomic disparities, and physical, and social characteristics may influence health-related behaviors, screening behaviors and health conditions in Sweden [2,3] and other countries [1,[4][5][6][7][8].…”