Why Some Sexual Abuse Survivors Avoid Pap Smears

Some data suggest that survivors of sexual abuse are underscreened for cervical cancer. In an exploratory study of why this might be so, investigators surveyed 135 British users of a support website for abuse survivors about their experiences with cervical cancer screening.

Of the respondents aged ≥25 who lived in England — where women are invited for free screening starting at age 25 and then every 3 to 5 years until age 64 — 78% reported ever being screened and 48% reported being screened within the past 5 years. Open-ended responses about barriers included concerns about power, trust, and safety (including vulnerability to a stranger that triggered memories of abuse). Additional concerns were discomfort or pain, fear and anxiety, poor exa…