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Primary care providers play a crucial role in cancer control, including screening and follow-up.1,2 In particular, they are often responsible for performing the initial screening and, when necessary, discussing appropriate treatment options. However, cancer screening practices in primary care can vary significantly, leading to disparities in access to these services.3
Arvizo and Mahdi,4 in this issue of the Journal, discuss disparities in cervical cancer screening, noting that African American women have a higher risk of developing and dying of cervical cancer than white women, possibly because they are diagnosed at a later stage and have lower stage-specific survival rates. The authors state that equal access to healthcare may help mitigate these factors, and they also discuss how primary care providers can reduce these disparities.
PRIORITIZING CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Even in patients who have access to regular primary care, other barriers to cancer screening may exist. A 2014 study used self-reported data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey to assess barriers to cervical cancer screening in older women (ages 40 to 65) who reported having health insurance and a personal healthcare provider.5 Those who were never or rarely screened for cervical cancer were more likely than those who were regularly screened to have a chronic condition, such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, depression, kidney disease, or diabetes.
This finding suggests that cancer screening may be a low priority during an adult primary care visit in which multiple chronic diseases must be addressed. To reduce disparities in cancer screening, primary care systems need to be designed to optimize delivery of preventive care and disease management using a team approach.
SYSTEMATIC FOLLOW-UP
Arvizo and Mahdi also discuss the follow-up of abnormal screening Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. While appropriate follow-up is a key factor in the management of cervical dysplasia, follow-up rates vary among African American women. System-level interventions such as the use of an electronic medical record-based tracking system in primary care settings6 with established protocols for follow-up may be effective.
But even with such systems in place, patients may face psychosocial barriers (eg, lack of health literacy, distress after receiving an abnormal cervical cytology test result7) that prevent them from seeking additional care. To improve follow-up rates, providers must be aware of these barriers and know how to address them through effective communication.
VACCINATION FOR HPV
Finally, the association between human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer makes HPV vaccination a crucial step in cervical cancer prevention. Continued provider education regarding HPV vaccination can improve knowledge about the HPV vaccine,8 as well as improve vaccination rates.9 The recent approval of a 2-dose vaccine schedule for younger girls10 may also help improve vaccine series completion rates.
The authors also suggest that primary care providers counsel all patients about risk factors for cervical cancer, including unsafe sex practices and tobacco use.
OPTIMIZING SCREENING AND PREVENTION
I commend the authors for their discussion of cervical cancer disparities and for raising awareness of the important role primary care providers play in reducing these disparities. Improving cervical cancer screening rates and follow-up will require providers and patients to be aware of cervical cancer risk factors. Further, system-level practice interventions will optimize primary care providers’ ability to engage patients in cancer screening conversations and ensure timely follow-up of screening tests.
- Emery JD, Shaw K, Williams B, et al. The role of primary care in early detection and follow-up of cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2014; 11:38–48.
- Rubin G, Berendsen A, Crawford SM, et al. The expanding role of primary care in cancer control. Lancet Oncol 2015; 16:1231–1272.
- Martires KJ, Kurlander DE, Minwell GJ, Dahms EB, Bordeaux JS. Patterns of cancer screening in primary care from 2005 to 2010. Cancer 2014; 120:253–261.
- Arvizo C, Mahdi H. Disparities in cervical cancer in African-American women: what primary care physicians can do. Cleve Clin J Med 2017; 84:788–794.
- Crawford A, Benard V, King J, Thomas CC. Understanding barriers to cervical cancer screening in women with access to care, behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 2014. Prev Chronic Dis 2016; 13:E154.
- Dupuis EA, White HF, Newman D, Sobieraj JE, Gokhale M, Freund KM. Tracking abnormal cervical cancer screening: evaluation of an EMR-based intervention. J Gen Intern Med 2010; 25:575–580.
- Hui SK, Miller SM, Wen KY, et al. Psychosocial barriers to follow-up adherence after an abnormal cervical cytology test result among low-income, inner-city women. J Prim Care Community Health 2014; 5:234–241.
- Berenson AB, Rahman M, Hirth JM, Rupp RE, Sarpong KO. A brief educational intervention increases providers’ human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 11:1331–1336.
- Perkins RB, Zisblatt L, Legler A, Trucks E, Hanchate A, Gorin SS. Effectiveness of a provider-focused intervention to improve HPV vaccination rates in boys and girls. Vaccine 2015; 33:1223–1229.
- Meites E, Kempe A, Markowitz LE. Use of a 2-dose schedule for human papillomavirus vaccination—updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016; 65:1405–1408.
Primary care providers play a crucial role in cancer control, including screening and follow-up.1,2 In particular, they are often responsible for performing the initial screening and, when necessary, discussing appropriate treatment options. However, cancer screening practices in primary care can vary significantly, leading to disparities in access to these services.3
Arvizo and Mahdi,4 in this issue of the Journal, discuss disparities in cervical cancer screening, noting that African American women have a higher risk of developing and dying of cervical cancer than white women, possibly because they are diagnosed at a later stage and have lower stage-specific survival rates. The authors state that equal access to healthcare may help mitigate these factors, and they also discuss how primary care providers can reduce these disparities.
PRIORITIZING CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Even in patients who have access to regular primary care, other barriers to cancer screening may exist. A 2014 study used self-reported data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey to assess barriers to cervical cancer screening in older women (ages 40 to 65) who reported having health insurance and a personal healthcare provider.5 Those who were never or rarely screened for cervical cancer were more likely than those who were regularly screened to have a chronic condition, such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, depression, kidney disease, or diabetes.
This finding suggests that cancer screening may be a low priority during an adult primary care visit in which multiple chronic diseases must be addressed. To reduce disparities in cancer screening, primary care systems need to be designed to optimize delivery of preventive care and disease management using a team approach.
SYSTEMATIC FOLLOW-UP
Arvizo and Mahdi also discuss the follow-up of abnormal screening Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. While appropriate follow-up is a key factor in the management of cervical dysplasia, follow-up rates vary among African American women. System-level interventions such as the use of an electronic medical record-based tracking system in primary care settings6 with established protocols for follow-up may be effective.
But even with such systems in place, patients may face psychosocial barriers (eg, lack of health literacy, distress after receiving an abnormal cervical cytology test result7) that prevent them from seeking additional care. To improve follow-up rates, providers must be aware of these barriers and know how to address them through effective communication.
VACCINATION FOR HPV
Finally, the association between human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer makes HPV vaccination a crucial step in cervical cancer prevention. Continued provider education regarding HPV vaccination can improve knowledge about the HPV vaccine,8 as well as improve vaccination rates.9 The recent approval of a 2-dose vaccine schedule for younger girls10 may also help improve vaccine series completion rates.
The authors also suggest that primary care providers counsel all patients about risk factors for cervical cancer, including unsafe sex practices and tobacco use.
OPTIMIZING SCREENING AND PREVENTION
I commend the authors for their discussion of cervical cancer disparities and for raising awareness of the important role primary care providers play in reducing these disparities. Improving cervical cancer screening rates and follow-up will require providers and patients to be aware of cervical cancer risk factors. Further, system-level practice interventions will optimize primary care providers’ ability to engage patients in cancer screening conversations and ensure timely follow-up of screening tests.
Primary care providers play a crucial role in cancer control, including screening and follow-up.1,2 In particular, they are often responsible for performing the initial screening and, when necessary, discussing appropriate treatment options. However, cancer screening practices in primary care can vary significantly, leading to disparities in access to these services.3
Arvizo and Mahdi,4 in this issue of the Journal, discuss disparities in cervical cancer screening, noting that African American women have a higher risk of developing and dying of cervical cancer than white women, possibly because they are diagnosed at a later stage and have lower stage-specific survival rates. The authors state that equal access to healthcare may help mitigate these factors, and they also discuss how primary care providers can reduce these disparities.
PRIORITIZING CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Even in patients who have access to regular primary care, other barriers to cancer screening may exist. A 2014 study used self-reported data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey to assess barriers to cervical cancer screening in older women (ages 40 to 65) who reported having health insurance and a personal healthcare provider.5 Those who were never or rarely screened for cervical cancer were more likely than those who were regularly screened to have a chronic condition, such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, depression, kidney disease, or diabetes.
This finding suggests that cancer screening may be a low priority during an adult primary care visit in which multiple chronic diseases must be addressed. To reduce disparities in cancer screening, primary care systems need to be designed to optimize delivery of preventive care and disease management using a team approach.
SYSTEMATIC FOLLOW-UP
Arvizo and Mahdi also discuss the follow-up of abnormal screening Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. While appropriate follow-up is a key factor in the management of cervical dysplasia, follow-up rates vary among African American women. System-level interventions such as the use of an electronic medical record-based tracking system in primary care settings6 with established protocols for follow-up may be effective.
But even with such systems in place, patients may face psychosocial barriers (eg, lack of health literacy, distress after receiving an abnormal cervical cytology test result7) that prevent them from seeking additional care. To improve follow-up rates, providers must be aware of these barriers and know how to address them through effective communication.
VACCINATION FOR HPV
Finally, the association between human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer makes HPV vaccination a crucial step in cervical cancer prevention. Continued provider education regarding HPV vaccination can improve knowledge about the HPV vaccine,8 as well as improve vaccination rates.9 The recent approval of a 2-dose vaccine schedule for younger girls10 may also help improve vaccine series completion rates.
The authors also suggest that primary care providers counsel all patients about risk factors for cervical cancer, including unsafe sex practices and tobacco use.
OPTIMIZING SCREENING AND PREVENTION
I commend the authors for their discussion of cervical cancer disparities and for raising awareness of the important role primary care providers play in reducing these disparities. Improving cervical cancer screening rates and follow-up will require providers and patients to be aware of cervical cancer risk factors. Further, system-level practice interventions will optimize primary care providers’ ability to engage patients in cancer screening conversations and ensure timely follow-up of screening tests.
- Emery JD, Shaw K, Williams B, et al. The role of primary care in early detection and follow-up of cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2014; 11:38–48.
- Rubin G, Berendsen A, Crawford SM, et al. The expanding role of primary care in cancer control. Lancet Oncol 2015; 16:1231–1272.
- Martires KJ, Kurlander DE, Minwell GJ, Dahms EB, Bordeaux JS. Patterns of cancer screening in primary care from 2005 to 2010. Cancer 2014; 120:253–261.
- Arvizo C, Mahdi H. Disparities in cervical cancer in African-American women: what primary care physicians can do. Cleve Clin J Med 2017; 84:788–794.
- Crawford A, Benard V, King J, Thomas CC. Understanding barriers to cervical cancer screening in women with access to care, behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 2014. Prev Chronic Dis 2016; 13:E154.
- Dupuis EA, White HF, Newman D, Sobieraj JE, Gokhale M, Freund KM. Tracking abnormal cervical cancer screening: evaluation of an EMR-based intervention. J Gen Intern Med 2010; 25:575–580.
- Hui SK, Miller SM, Wen KY, et al. Psychosocial barriers to follow-up adherence after an abnormal cervical cytology test result among low-income, inner-city women. J Prim Care Community Health 2014; 5:234–241.
- Berenson AB, Rahman M, Hirth JM, Rupp RE, Sarpong KO. A brief educational intervention increases providers’ human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 11:1331–1336.
- Perkins RB, Zisblatt L, Legler A, Trucks E, Hanchate A, Gorin SS. Effectiveness of a provider-focused intervention to improve HPV vaccination rates in boys and girls. Vaccine 2015; 33:1223–1229.
- Meites E, Kempe A, Markowitz LE. Use of a 2-dose schedule for human papillomavirus vaccination—updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016; 65:1405–1408.
- Emery JD, Shaw K, Williams B, et al. The role of primary care in early detection and follow-up of cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2014; 11:38–48.
- Rubin G, Berendsen A, Crawford SM, et al. The expanding role of primary care in cancer control. Lancet Oncol 2015; 16:1231–1272.
- Martires KJ, Kurlander DE, Minwell GJ, Dahms EB, Bordeaux JS. Patterns of cancer screening in primary care from 2005 to 2010. Cancer 2014; 120:253–261.
- Arvizo C, Mahdi H. Disparities in cervical cancer in African-American women: what primary care physicians can do. Cleve Clin J Med 2017; 84:788–794.
- Crawford A, Benard V, King J, Thomas CC. Understanding barriers to cervical cancer screening in women with access to care, behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 2014. Prev Chronic Dis 2016; 13:E154.
- Dupuis EA, White HF, Newman D, Sobieraj JE, Gokhale M, Freund KM. Tracking abnormal cervical cancer screening: evaluation of an EMR-based intervention. J Gen Intern Med 2010; 25:575–580.
- Hui SK, Miller SM, Wen KY, et al. Psychosocial barriers to follow-up adherence after an abnormal cervical cytology test result among low-income, inner-city women. J Prim Care Community Health 2014; 5:234–241.
- Berenson AB, Rahman M, Hirth JM, Rupp RE, Sarpong KO. A brief educational intervention increases providers’ human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 11:1331–1336.
- Perkins RB, Zisblatt L, Legler A, Trucks E, Hanchate A, Gorin SS. Effectiveness of a provider-focused intervention to improve HPV vaccination rates in boys and girls. Vaccine 2015; 33:1223–1229.
- Meites E, Kempe A, Markowitz LE. Use of a 2-dose schedule for human papillomavirus vaccination—updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016; 65:1405–1408.
