Table 3 Different subgroups of women at heightened risk from cervical cancer
Subgroup | Main findings |
|---|---|
Perimenopausal women | - increased HPV prevalence [56] |
- both exogenous and endogenous hormones were associated with HPV infection [56] | |
Women over 55 years of age | - rarely initiate conversations on sexual matters [25] |
- physicians tend to initiate these discussions more with African American women [25] | |
Incarcerated women | - these women (but also incarcerated men), as well as those with a partner being released from prison are at risk due to their sexual behaviour [19, 70] |
- more frequent history of abnormal Pap smears, particularly those exposed to violence [76], however they are also more receptive to prevention [70] | |
Women with disabilities | - may have lower screening rates due to difficulties associated with pelvic examinations[71] |
| Â | - Canadian women with traumatic spinal cord injury did not have lower screening rates, possibly due to frequent visits to physicians [71] |
| Â | - liquid cytology Pap smears are a reasonable alternative for screening this subgroup of women [57] |