Women with mental disorders are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer

Women with mental illness, neuropsychiatric disabilities or substance abuse have a much higher risk of developing cervical cancer given that they are less likely to have a Pap smear compared to the rest of the population, a new study shows. “We have identified a high-risk group that requires special attention if we are to succeed in eliminating cervical cancer,” says Kejia Hu, a postdoctoral researcher at the Karolinska Institute located in Stockholm, Sweden. She and her colleagues conducted a population study involving more than four million Swedish women born between 1940 and 1995. From this large cohort, scientists calculated the risk of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions of the cervix, as well as participation in screening programs. They compared women who were diagnosed with a mental illness, neuropsychiatric disability or substance abuse by a specialist and those who were not. Read: A step closer to eliminating cervical cancer by 2040 “Our results suggest that women with these diagnoses attend screening programs more rarely, while they have a higher incidence of lesions in the cervix,” explains Dr. Hu. "So we found that they are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer.” High risk was observed for all diagnoses, but the strongest association was noted for substance abuse. According to the researchers, women with mental illnesses should therefore be made more aware of the need to undergo regular gynecological screening. “It would reduce their risk of cancer,” noted study co-author Karin Sundström. “Similarly, if healthcare professionals are more aware of the risk of cancer in these patients, they can reinforce preventive measures (for them).” Read: Rule out cervical cancer with HPV detection test The major obstacle of health inequalities In May 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. The strategy noted that 90% of girls must be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) before the age of 15, and that 70% of women be screened for the disease at least once before age 35 and twice before age 45. According to the Swedish researchers, social inequalities in health and access to care are the main obstacles to achieving these goals. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, about 1,450 Canadian women were diagnosed with cervical cancer last year. Symptoms, which may include vaginal bleeding, unusual discharge and pain during intercourse, are not always present in the early stages of the disease and may not appear until after tumors have started to grow. It is estimated that about 380 Canadian women died of the disease in 2022. Study results were published in The Lancet Public Health. This article has been translated from its original French and first appeared on our sister site Profession Santé.

Women with mental disorders are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer

Register for free access or login.

Related Topics