Cervical Cancer Screenings See Worrisome Drop Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, UK Study Finds

Concerning decline in cervical cancer screenings amid COVID-19 pandemic, reveals UK study

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A worrying decline in cervical cancer screening rates amongst U.S. women, especially in rural areas, during the COVID-19 pandemic has been unveiled in a new research study conducted by the University of Kentucky. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, was spearheaded by Ty Borders, Ph.D., a researcher from the UK Markey Cancer Center.

Revealing the Decline

The research focused on analyzing nationally representative survey data from the National Cancer Institute to scrutinize Pap test screening rates before and during the pandemic. A Pap test or Pap smear is a proven screening method that is effective in detecting cervical cancer or small cell changes that could potentially lead to cervical cancer, making early detection and treatment possible. According to the study’s results, the likelihood of a woman getting a Pap test in 2022 was 30% lower than in 2019, prior to the pandemic.

Such a significant decline is worrying considering cervical cancer is largely preventable with regular screenings and early intervention, warns Borders. In his position as a professor at the UK College of Nursing and director of the Rural and Underserved Health Research Center, Borders has expressed deep concern over these findings.

Increased Rural-Urban Disparity

Alongside the overall decline, the study further revealed an escalated disparity in screening rates between urban women and their rural counterparts. In 2022, a mere 48.6% of rural women reported having received a Pap test in the past year as opposed to 64% of urban women.

Historically, women from rural areas have seen higher incidences and mortality rates of cervical cancer. Consequently, the broadening disparity in screenings during the pandemic between urban and rural women is particularly alarming, says Borders.

“The findings highlight a necessity to expand accessibility to cervical cancer screening amongst all women, but particularly those residing in rural areas, to prevent a potential spike in future cervical cancer incidences and death rates,” warns Borders.

Response to the Pandemic

The significant disruption to healthcare services during the COVID-19 lockdowns is a likely contributing factor to the decline in screenings. Several clinics had to temporarily suspend or reduce the number of routine procedures, including Pap tests.

Learning from these findings, healthcare providers may need to employ additional measures to ensure patients are up to date with recommended screenings. This could include expanding the availability of appointments for cervical cancer screenings and gently reminding patients when their screening due dates are approaching.

The presented study and its corresponding program is partly supported by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It represents a part of an award totaling $2,800,000 with no finance from non-governmental sources.