Cancer Screening Prevalence in US-Affiliated Pacific Islands

Strategic Insights -

Cancer screening rates in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) are alarmingly low, highlighting a pressing need for culturally tailored and effective screening strategies. A recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology revealed that in the USAPI, only 20.6% of eligible adults were up-to-date with breast cancer screening, 38.6% with cervical cancer screening, and 15.1% with colorectal cancer screening. These rates are particularly concerning among those with lower educational attainment, diabetes, or tobacco use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from population-based cross-sectional surveys in five USAPI states: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei and Kosrae).
  • The estimated age-standardized percentage of never screened and up-to-date screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer among eligible adults in the USAPI was 20.6%, 38.6%, and 15.1%, respectively.
  • Screening rates in the USAPI were lower among participants who reported having a high school education or less compared to those with more than a high school education.
  • Cervical cancer screening was lower among participants with diabetes compared to those without diabetes, and colorectal cancer screening was lower among participants who reported tobacco use than among those without tobacco use.
  • Cancer screening was suboptimal across all three cancer types in the USAPI.
  • Developing culturally tailored and effective cancer screening strategies may address barriers to screening and improve access and utilization.

Statistics:

  • 20.6% of eligible adults in the USAPI were up-to-date with breast cancer screening.
  • 38.6% of eligible adults in the USAPI were up-to-date with cervical cancer screening.
  • 15.1% of eligible adults in the USAPI were up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening.
  • 95% confidence interval for breast cancer screening: 18.6-22.8.
  • 95% confidence interval for cervical cancer screening: 37.1-40.2.
  • 95% confidence interval for colorectal cancer screening: 13.8-16.4.
  • The study analyzed data from 2016 to 2019.

Sources:

  • Breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening prevalence in the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands. Cancer Epidemiology, 2025;97:102851.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Reports Findings in Colon Cancer (Breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening prevalence in the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands). Education Letter. June 18, 2025; p 83.
  • Jin Qin, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States.