Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cervical Cancer Screening From Three U.S. Healthcare Settings.

INTRODUCTION: This study sought to characterize racial and ethnic disparities in cervical cancer screening and follow-up of abnormal findings across 3 U.S. healthcare settings. METHODS: Data were from 2016 to 2019 and were analyzed in 2022, reflecting sites within the Multi-level Optimization of the Cervical Cancer Screening Process in Diverse Settings & Populations Research Center, part of the Population-based Research to Optimize the Screening Process consortium, including a safety-net system in the southwestern U.S., a northwestern mixed-model system, and a northeastern integrated healthcare system. Screening uptake was evaluated among average-risk patients (i.e., no previous abnormalities) by race and ethnicity as captured in the electronic health record, using chi-square tests. Among patients with abnormal findings requiring follow-up, the proportion receiving colposcopy or biopsy within 6 months was reported. Multivariable regression was conducted to assess how clinical, socioeconomic, and structural characteristics mediate observed differences. RESULTS: Among 188,415 eligible patients, 62.8% received cervical cancer screening during the 3-year study period. Screening use was lower among non-Hispanic Black patients (53.2%) and higher among Hispanic (65.4%,) and Asian/Pacific Islander (66.5%) than among non-Hispanic White patients (63.5%, all p<0.001). Most differences were explained by the distribution of patients across sites and differences in insurance. Hispanic patients remained more likely to screen after controlling for a variety of clinical and sociodemographic factors (risk ratio=1.14, CI=1.12, 1.16). Among those receiving any screening test, Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to receive Pap-only testing (versus receiving co-testing). Follow-up from abnormal results was low for all groups (72.5%) but highest among Hispanic participants (78.8%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort receiving care across 3 diverse healthcare settings, cervical cancer screening and follow-up were below 80% coverage targets. Lower screening for Black patients was attenuated by controlling for insurance and site of care, underscoring the role of systemic inequity. In addition, it is crucial to improve follow-up after abnormalities are identified, which was low for all populations.

Concordance with BRCA1/2 testing guidelines among women in The Health of Women (HOW) Study®.

PURPOSE: To evaluate factors associated with compliance to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for BRCA1/2 testing and identify groups who are at risk of under- and over-use of BRCA1/2 testing. METHODS: Data included 20,758 women from Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation's The Health of Women (HOW) Study®. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics with whether the woman was over-, under-, or appropriately tested for BRCA1/2 mutations, per 2015 NCCN guidelines. RESULTS: 3894 women (18.8%) reported BRCA1/2 testing. 5628 (27.1%) women who met NCCN criteria for testing were not tested. Among women with a history of breast cancer, those without health insurance were more likely to be under-tested (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.15-3.60) than those with managed care insurance, and higher education was associated with a lower likelihood of under-testing (Graduate/professional degree OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.91). CONCLUSION: Almost 30% of women were under-tested, indicating that many high-risk women who may benefit from genetic testing are currently being missed. Without appropriate testing, providers are unable to tailor screening recommendations to those carrying mutations who are at highest risk. Patient and healthcare provider education and outreach targeted to low-income and under-served populations may assist in reducing under-testing.