The Role of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners in Reducing Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening: A Literature Review

Abstract

Nearly all cases of cervical cancer (CC) are caused by persistent infection by human papillomavirus (HPV). CC remains the second most prevalent carcinoma among women and, in 2017, Canada’s screening rates were off target by 19%. For example, screening rates as low as 57.6% were observed in low-income neighbourhoods in Ontario, compared to 70% in highest-income neighbourhoods. Complex, multifactorial barriers affect women’s participation in cervical cancer screening (CCS). The most common barriers to screening are directly linked to disparities within determinants of health, including belonging to a minority ethnic group, low socioeconomic status, lack of education, and lack of access to healthcare. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) can reduce these barriers by providing innovative, evidence-based, culturally competent women-friendly care while building trusting relationships with patients and, thus, play a greater role in preventing the disease. The objective of this literature review is to summarize barriers to CCS and the role Canadian NPs can have in reducing them. Keywords: cervical cancer, cancer screening, nurse practitioner, barriers