A recent study published in the journal Cancer showed that sexual minority individuals whose sexual orientation differs from societal norms were less likely to have gone for cervical cancer screening in comparison to their heterosexual counterparts. The reasons for this unlikely pattern may include inadequate patient-provider communication, mistrust of medical providers, fear of discrimination in the clinic, and the lack of awareness along with the belief that Pap testing is not beneficial. Researchers collected the data from the National Health Interview Survey conducted between 2015-2018 in US households. The survey was based on a broad spectrum of topics including cervical cancer screening disparity between sexual minorities and race/ethnicity.

The team of researchers found that a 46% lower number of minority individuals tested for cancer compared to heterosexual persons. When the association between sexual orientation and race/ethnicity was analyzed the results showed that white sexual minorities and Hispanic sexual minorities had reduced chances of undergoing pap testing in comparison to white heterosexual counterparts. However, no significant difference was observed between white participants and black sexual minority or Hispanic heterosexual individuals.

Ashley Stenzel, Allina Health stated that the research highlights the need to examine disparities in association with societal identities. Also, she added that further future work is needed to measure and include systemic discrimination in the research.

Currently, Pap tests are the most recommended method for detecting cervical cancer at pre-malignant or early stages of cancer development for an individual between the ages of 21 to 65 years when the treatment is most effective.