Understanding barriers to cervical cancer screening
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding barriers to cervical cancer screening among poor attenders: a qualitative study
IRAS ID
246389
Contact name
Judith Rankin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in the UK among women under 35, and the fourth most common cancer among all women, with more than 2,800 new diagnoses every year. Cervical cancer screening uptake rates are currently at a nineteen-year low: national coverage in 2017 was only 72%, significantly below the 80% target uptake rate. The North East reported 74.7% coverage in 2017, but some areas of the region underperform the England average – Newcastle and Gateshead CCG was the worst-performing local CCG in 2017, reporting 68.3% coverage. Non-attendance at screening is the single most important risk factor for cervical cancer, and poor coverage has important implications for population health and allocation of health service resources. Previous qualitative research has explored the barriers that prevent women belonging to some communities from accessing cervical cancer screening more consistently. This interview study will consider the barriers that prevent women living in income-deprived areas in Newcastle upon Tyne at the upper and lower age limits of the eligible population (25-65) from attending regular screening.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NE/0176
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion