Cervical cancer screening in primary care: adherence and barriers identified during a mass screening initiative
Lília Pacheco ALMEIDA, Mariana Raposo FERREIRA, Bruno TAVARES, Felipe VENTURA and Daniela LIMA
Cervical cancer screening is an effective strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality. However, participation rates remain suboptimal in many populations, despite organised screening programmes. Primary care plays a key role in implementing population-based screening and addressing barriers to participation. Mass screening initiatives conducted in primary care settings provide an opportunity to evaluate real-world adherence and to explore factors influencing women’s decisions to participate or not.To assess adherence to cervical cancer screening and to identify facilitators and barriers to participation among eligible women during a mass screening initiative in a primary care setting.An observational cross-sectional study is being conducted during a cervical cancer mass screening initiative implemented in a primary care unit. Eligible women, according to national screening recommendations, are actively invited to participate. Screening uptake is registered, and data are collected using a structured questionnaire. Variables include sociodemographic characteristics, previous screening history, knowledge about cervical cancer screening, perceived benefits and perceived barriers. Data collection is ongoing at the time of abstract submission.Data analysis will describe screening adherence rates and identify the main facilitators and barriers associated with participation and non-participation. Associations between selected sociodemographic and clinical variables and screening uptake will be explored. Preliminary and final results will be presented at the conference.Understanding facilitators and barriers to cervical cancer screening in a primary care setting can inform strategies to increase participation and reduce inequities. Active involvement of family doctors, targeted education, and addressing modifiable barriers are key elements to improve adherence. Mass screening initiatives also provide an opportunity to assess population-level behaviour and inform future preventive programmes.Mass cervical cancer screening in primary care is effective not only for early detection but also for identifying modifiable barriers to participation. Insights from this initiative can support tailored interventions to enhance adherence and equity in preventive healthcare, reinforcing the central role of family doctors in promoting women’s health.
