Press Releases: National
October 2, 2002
Kaiser Permanente research: childhood sexual abuse decreases rate of adult women's cervical cancer screening
OAKLAND, Calif. – Women who were sexually abused as children are less likely to get Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer, according to research soon to be published in the October issue of the Journal of Family Practice. While researchers and clinicians know that sexual abuse in childhood has long-lasting negative effects on women's health, this study reveals that the negative consequences of childhood sexual abuse also extend to preventive healthcare.
Kaiser Permanente researchers Melissa Farley, Ph.D., Jacqueline M. Golding, Ph.D., and Jerome R. Minkoff, M.D. compared 364 female health plan members who received medically appropriate Pap tests with 372 women who had not. Only 36% of the women who were sexually abused as children obtained Pap tests within the past two years, compared to 50% of women who were not sexually abused as children.
"Women who were sexually abused in childhood have many risk factors for cervical cancer," said Melissa Farley, PhD., "so it's crucial for them to get screened. Unfortunately, the sexual trauma that increases their risk of disease may also make them less likely to have cancer screening. A pelvic examination may trigger psychological distress in survivors of sexual abuse."
Drs. Farley, Golding and Minkoff also note: "This study suggests to us that doctors and nurses should be especially aware of patients who are reluctant to have Pap tests. Those women may have been sexually traumatized as children, in which case they need care for psychological trauma and as well as special outreach to encourage them to obtain Pap tests."
This research was supported by a grant from the Kaiser Permanente Direct Community Benefit Investment program. Kaiser Foundation Research Institute , a division of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, provided administrative support.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.
