Cancer Screening Participation in Vulnerable Populations: An Analysis of Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors

Cancer remains a leading public health concern in the United States, and early detection through screening is a critical strategy in reducing cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Despite national screening guidelines and public health initiatives, disparities in participation persist across demographic, socioeconomic, and health insurance factors. Understanding these disparities is essential for designing more equitable and effective interventions. This study aimed to examine the associations between individual characteristics—sex, race/ethnicity, age, income, education level, and health insurance status—and participation in breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings among U.S. adults using 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using both simple and multiple logistic regression models to identify predictors of screening utilization for each cancer type. The analysis showed statistically significant associations between lower screening participation and being uninsured, having lower income or education level, and identifying as Asian Non-Hispanic or Hispanic. These associations remained consistent across all three cancer types, even when controlling for all other variables. Interestingly, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status had stronger effects in simple models, suggesting potential interactions or shared underlying barriers in access and behavior. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health strategies that combine insurance expansion, financial assistance, and culturally tailored outreach. Addressing these different types of barriers is important for improving screening rates and supporting fairness in cancer prevention among vulnerable populations.