US poll reveals ‘significant’ gaps in women’s knowledge about cervical cancer

New findings indicate a significant gap in women’s knowledge about the primary causes of cervical cancer and the most effective means of prevention.

Despite being one of the few cancers that is almost entirely preventable, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 14,000 women in the US are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and more than 4,000 women die from it.

The online survey of US women between 18 and 64, conducted by The Harris Poll, found that 71 per cent of respondents have delayed getting a Pap test, also known as a smear test. 

Detecting cervical cancer early with a Pap smear can give women a greater chance at a cure. The test can also detect changes in a woman’s cervical cells that suggest cancer may develop in the future.

However, if the changes are not detected and treated appropriately, precancerous cells can turn into cervical cancer, experts warn.

Around 15 per cent of American women say their last OB/GYN visit for a routine care or check-up was more than three years ago, with nearly one in 10 saying they have never had a Pap test.

About one in 10 hispanic and black women say they have never had an OB/GYN visit for routine care and similar proportions say they have never had a Pap test.

When asked why they have delayed getting a Pap test, Hispanic women are more likely to report feeling embarrassed, afraid it would hurt or unable to access a OB/GYN.

“Racial and ethnic minorities, rural residents, sexual and gender minorities and those with limited English proficiency often face cultural, economic and geographical factors that preclude them from obtaining critical health screenings, including Pap and HPV tests,” said Brooke Story, worldwide president of Integrated Diagnostic Solutions for BD, the US medtech company that published the findings.

“Being that January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, there is no better time to analyse the sentiment women hold around such screenings.

“The survey results underscore that lack of knowledge is one of the biggest barriers to receiving timely screening.

“We need more patient-centered communications to educate everyone, including and especially marginalised and underserved groups, in addition to providing greater access to critical diagnostic tools and services.”

As many as 75 per cent of American women say one of their 2023 resolutions would be to get on track with their annual health screening appointments, like OB/GYN visits.

While 91 per cent say they are knowledgeable about women’s health in general, fewer report being knowledgeable about more specific aspects, such as how often they should get a Pap test or HPV test that looks for the virus responsible for causing cervical cancer.

The study found that 67 per cent of American women were unaware that almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV.

Overall, 47 per cent of American women say they don’t understand the difference between a Pap test and an HPV test, with Black women (58 per cent) more likely to agree with this than non-Hispanic white women (44 per cent).

Similarly, 66 per cent of did not know that nearly all sexually active men and women get HPV at some point in their lives, while 61 per cent did not know there are different types of HPV strains.

More than 50 per cent of American women mistakenly believe that Pap tests screen for a variety of STDs, while 67 per cent mistakenly believe that women aged 30 to 65 need a Pap test every year.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and US Preventive Services Task Force recommend screening begin at 21 years of age, with Pap testing every three years and average-risk individuals aged 30 years and older screen every five years with primary HPV testing or co-testing.

The American Cancer Society recommends screening begin at age 25 with primary HPV screening.