Cancer Screening Prevalence and Preference among Hospitalized Women With and Without Obesity

This study explored the prevalence of nonadherence and preferences for breast cancer (BRC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among hospitalized women with and without obesity who were cancer-free at baseline. In addition, the study evaluated risk factors associated with nonadherence among hospitalized women with obesity.

A prospective interventional study evaluated nonadherence prevalence and preference for cancer screening among hospitalized women aged 50 to 75 years. The intervention consisted of one-to-one bedside education via handouts about cancer screening. In addition, multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations between sociodemographic and clinical comorbidity variables believed to influence screening adherence among hospitalized women. Six months after discharge from the hospital, study participants received a follow-up telephone survey to determine adherence to BRC/CRC screening guidelines.

Of 510 enrolled women, 61% were obese (body mass index ≥30 kg/m²). Women with and without obesity were equally nonadherent to BRC (34% vs 32%, P = 0.56) and CRC (26% vs 28%, P = 0.71) screening guidelines. Almost half of the study population preferred undergoing indicated BRC/CRC screening in the hospital regardless of obesity status. After adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical risk factors, not having a primary care physician (odds ratio [OR] 5.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.20-15.7) and nonadherence to CRC screening (OR 3.65, 95% CI 1.94-6.54) were associated with nonadherence to BRC screening among women with obesity. After similar adjustment, having an education less than high school level (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.21-5.39) and nonadherence to BRC screening (OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.97-6.75) were associated with nonadherence to CRC among women with obesity.

Women with obesity are at risk of being underscreened for obesity-related malignancies, and hospitalizations may offer screening opportunities for BRC and CRC.