Roche research reveals cervical cancer screening gaps in millennials
Roche announced research findings showing that 31% of eligible millennials have postponed or missed their cervical screening appointments – 27% higher than the average across all age groups. The findings come from a survey of 5,518 internet users aged 16-64 commissioned by Roche and conducted by GWI across six European countries.
Despite screening services being widely available free of charge or heavily subsidized in many countries, for the millennials surveyed, specific challenges make accessing routine cervical screening difficult. In addition to the well-documented fears reported over pain, embarrassment or stigma surrounding screenings, the research reveals that millennials face a particular challenge in balancing careers, caregiving responsibilities, and relationships. These overlapping commitments appear to push cervical screenings to the bottom of their priorities, resulting in higher rates of missed or delayed appointments compared to other groups.
Fear remains the biggest barrier to cervical screening attendance. Thirty percent of all women cite fear as the primary reason for missing or delaying their appointments, driven by anxiety about discomfort, pain, or the potential results. The survey also found that professional commitments and workplace demands are a major factor, and the second-largest barrier for all participants. High-income earners (top third of income ranges across markets) are 22% more likely than average to delay appointments, and 27% of this group cite workplace demands as the reason for postponement. Millennials who delayed or cancelled screening appointments are 20% more likely than the general population to say that greater workplace flexibility and encouragement would help them prioritize cervical screenings.
Caregiving responsibilities add another layer of complexity, particularly for parents. For many, the demands of family life take priority over personal health, with 27% of parents surveyed reported they had delayed or cancelled cervical screening appointments.
These challenges are compounded by a lack of awareness and discussion around cervical screening, with half of women surveyed believing there are no schemes to support or subsidize healthcare appointments. Additionally, nearly 50% of respondents, including 43% of millennials, admitted they had never spoken to anyone about cervical screening, highlighting a pervasive cultural discomfort that leaves many without the emotional support or encouragement needed to prioritize screenings.
Practical and emotional support are key to improving attendance rates. Among millennials who postponed their screenings, 12% identified assistance with travel or childcare as a significant motivator, while 19% said greater workplace flexibility and encouragement from employers would help them prioritize their appointments. Emotional support also plays a role, with 10% saying they would be more likely to attend if encouraged by family, friends, or colleagues.
