Interventions that address cancer health disparities in women

Health disparities exist in cancer incidence and mortality rates among certain populations. Women of low socioeconomic status and minority women are at particular risk for not adhering to recommended cancer screening guidelines. Such behaviors may contribute to disparities when cancers are discovered at later stages, contributing to higher mortality rates in these women. Barriers to screening tests exist and are factors in preventing women from accessing available screening tests for breast and cervical cancer. Once barriers are identified, interventions can be developed to reduce certain health disparities. This article is a review of the literature that focuses on interventions that have been successful in addressing barriers that interfere with cancer screening in women.