Barriers to routine gynecological cancer screening for White and African-American obese women

Abstract

Background: Obese women are reported to be at higher risk from gynecological cancers than nonobese women, yet these women are less likely to get cancer-screening tests. The specific factors that contribute to obese women not obtaining timely cancer screening have not been identified.

Objective: To investigate the factors that contribute to lower rates of gynecological cancer screening as related to women's body size.

Design: A purposeful sample of 498 White and African-American women with body mass index (BMI) from 25 to 122 kg/m(2), including 60 women with BMI > 55 kg/m(2), was surveyed concerning access to gynecological cancer screening and potential barriers that could cause delay. Health care providers (N = 129) were surveyed concerning their education, practices, and attitudes about providing care and gynecological cancer-screening tests for obese women.

Results: Obese women reported that they delay cancer-screening tests and perceive that their weight is a barrier to obtaining appropriate health care. The percent of women reporting these statements increased significantly as the women's BMI increased. Women with BMI > 55 kg/m(2) had a significantly lower rate (68%) of Papanicolaou (Pap) tests compared to others (86%). The lower screening rate was not a result of lack of available health care since more than 90% of the women had health insurance. Women report that barriers related to their weight contribute to delay of health care. These barriers include disrespectful treatment, embarrassment at being weighed, negative attitudes of providers, unsolicited advice to lose weight, and medical equipment that was too small to be functional. The percentage of women who reported these barriers increased as the women's BMI increased. Women who delay were significantly less likely to have timely pelvic examinations, Pap tests, and mammograms than the comparison group, even though they reported that they were 'moderately' or 'very concerned' about cancer symptoms. The women who delay care were also more likely to have been on weight-loss programs five or more times. Many health care providers reported that they had little specific education concerning care of obese women, found that examining and providing care for large patients was more difficult than for other patients, and were not satisfied with the resources and referrals available to provide care for them.

Conclusion: Since the goal of preventive cancer screening is to improve health outcomes for all women and since obese women are at greater risk, strategies must be designed to reduce the weight barriers to these tests and improve the quality of the health care experience. Providers should receive specific training related to care of large women.