Abstract 7097: Predictors of physician recommendations on cancer screening in women aged 21 to 75 an analysis of sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics
Authors: Nitza E. Malave-Velez, Ana C. Sala, Cecilia Marino Nieto, Christian Rivera Catala, Cynthia M. Perez, Vivian Colon Lopez
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Background: Lack of physician recommendation for cancer screening tests is a critical determinant of cancer screening uptake and remains a major barrier in screening and prevention efforts. This study aims to analyze the sociodemographic, psychosocial, and clinical factors related to lack of physician recommendation in women living in Puerto Rico, ages 21 through 75. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted by the Puerto Rico Community Engagement Alliance. A total of 500 women, non-adherent to either breast, cervical or colorectal cancer screening were recruited island wide for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) from December 2023 to June 2024. Follow-up calls assessed willingness to undergo either breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screening at four and eight weeks. The main outcome for this analysis was physician recommendation as barrier for screening, categorized as those whose physician did not recommend cancer screening (53%) and those whose physician recommended it (47%). Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial data was collected at baseline. Regression models were conducted to assess the associations between these characteristics and physician recommendation using binary logistic regression. The analysis included models adjusted for age, chronic diseases and high cholesterol. Group differences were analyzed using Mann Whitney u test, alpha 5%. Results: Participants who lack physician recommendation for cancer screening were significantly older (median=58 years) when compared with those that have received a recommendation (median = 55 years, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Significant differences in provider recommendation were also observed among participants reporting chronic diseases in which those participants who lack a physician recommendation are more likely to have diagnosis of heart disease, (15.47% p-value= 0.027), asthma (27.55%; p-value), and high cholesterol (37.74%; p-value). Participants who reported not receiving physician recommendation at baseline had higher willingness to undergo colonoscopy (baseline = 78.88%; first follow-up = 90.30%) in comparison to those who received recommendation (baseline = 63.96%; first follow-up = 78.08%) at both baseline (p= 0.015) and during the first follow-up (p = 0.014). No significant differences were observed in willingness to undergo other cancer screening test and physician recommendation (p&amp;gt;0.05). Conclusion: Lack of physician recommendation for cancer screening is associated with differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, such as older age and higher prevalence of chronic diseases. We observed statistical differences between willingness to colonoscopy screening at baseline and first follow-up, which highlight missed opportunities during clinical encounters for the promotion of cancer screening in these participants. Citation Format: Nitza E. Malave-Velez, Ana C. Sala, Cecilia Marino Nieto, Christian Rivera Catala, Cynthia M. Perez, Vivian Colon Lopez. Predictors of physician recommendations on cancer screening in women aged 21 to 75 an analysis of sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 7097.