# Cervical, Breast, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Outcomes Among Refugees in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

## TL;DR

This study examines cancer screening rates and outcomes among refugees in Philadelphia, finding high screening participation but no cancer diagnoses.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into cancer screening outcomes among refugee populations in the U.S.

## Key findings

- 80.5% of refugee women aged 21–65 were screened for cervical cancer at least once.
- 92.1% of refugee women aged 50–74 were screened for breast cancer at least once.
- 80.4% of refugees aged 50–75 were screened for colorectal cancer at least once, with no cancer diagnoses reported.

## Abstract

Cancer screening can detect cancer at an early stage and decrease cancer morbidity and mortality. Refugee populations may have had limited access to cancer screening before arrival in the United States. A cross-sectional analysis of cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening was conducted among refugees with primary care visits between 2018 and 2022 at a refugee health clinic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cancer screening outcomes included the number and type of screenings; the number of normal, inconclusive, and abnormal screening results; completion of follow-up tests for inconclusive and abnormal results; and the number of cancer diagnoses. Among 149 refugee women aged 21–65, 80.5% were screened for cervical cancer at least once. Among 181 cervical cancer screenings, 89.0% were normal, 3.9% were unsatisfactory, and 7.2% were abnormal. Among 38 refugee women aged 50–74, 92.1% were screened for breast cancer at least once. Among 111 breast cancer screenings, 81.1% were normal, 11.7% were incomplete, and 7.2% were abnormal. Among 107 refugees aged 50–75, 80.4% were screened for colorectal cancer at least once. Among 189 colorectal cancer screenings, 76.2% were normal, 11.1% were inconclusive, and 12.7% were abnormal. There were 0 cancer diagnoses. Longitudinal outcomes beyond the domestic medical exam are valuable to provide insight into cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening among refugees in the United States. This could serve as a foundation for future quality improvement interventions to increase cancer screening.