Abstract A117: Cervical cancer screening rates among older Hispanic women living in Texas: results using the BRFSS 2018, 2020, and 2022 survey data

Abstract Background: Despite cancer risk increasing with age, older women are less likely to be up-to- date with cervical cancer screening (CCS). CCS is recommended up-to 65 years, absent history of abnormal results. CCS rates are significantly lower among Hispanic women, despite higher cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates compared to non-Hispanic white women. In Texas, women older than 50 years have lower odds of timely pap testing. We examined CCS rates among older Hispanic women in Texas using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Methods: Our sample included 5,291 self-identified Hispanic women, ages 50-64. Outcome: receipt of pap smear within the last 3 years following the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines at the time each survey was conducted (years: 2018, 2020 and 2022). Descriptive analysis and chi-square tests were used to examine the proportion of women who reported receiving CCS within the recommended timeframe. Results: Only 63.75% (mean age = 56.4) reported getting a pap smear. Significant decreases were found among women who had a pap smear from 87.03% in 2018, 71.95% in 2020, and 43.24% in 2022 (p=0.00). Additional analyses will be conducted to test relationships with sociodemographic and healthcare variables. Conclusion: Older Hispanic women in Texas represented in this dataset are far from the 2030 Healthy People goal of 79% CCS. Decreases in CCS rates are possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic impact on healthcare access. As the US population ages, research is needed to identify the potential systemic barriers this group is confronting to access preventive cancer care. Citation Format: Coralia Vázquez-Otero, Bilikisu Elewonibi, Adaobi Ankwe, Rhonda BeLue. Cervical cancer screening rates among older Hispanic women living in Texas: results using the BRFSS 2018, 2020, and 2022 survey data [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A117.