Barriers and Facilitators for Cervical and Breast Cancer Screenings Among Survivors of Gender-Based Violence

Survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) have heightened cancer risks and are less likely to be up to date with cervical cancer screenings (CCS) and breast cancer screenings (BCS). Trauma-informed clinical practices are well positioned to make CCS and BCS more accessible to GBV survivors, but survivors' hesitance to disclose trauma history to health care providers often prevents effective delivery of trauma-informed care. The current study analyzed qualitative interview and survey data from GBV survivors (N = 110) to learn more about barriers to and facilitators of CCS and BCS, as well as to disclosing trauma history to health care providers. Guided by uncertainty reduction theory, this study also explores survivors' feelings of uncertainty regarding screening procedures and conversations about trauma history with health care providers. Recommendations for health programming to promote CCS and BCS among GBV survivors are discussed.