Individual and Co-Occurring Social Needs, and Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Patients in Texas Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Abstract

IntroductionWhile prior research has examined individual health-related social needs (HRSNs) in relation to preventive care, few studies have investigated how cumulative social needs affect cancer screening behaviors. This study examines how individual and combined HRSNs affect breast and cervical cancer screening completion.MethodsParticipants included 1,964 female patients overdue for breast or cervical cancer screening, receiving care at Federally Qualified Health Centers. The dependent variable was the completion of the appropriate screening test within 90 days of SMS text message reminders. Adjusted logistic regression models assessed associations between individual and combined HRSNs and screening completion.ResultsFood insecurity (aOR = 0.54) was the only significant predictor of breast cancer screening completion and was also associated with reduced odds of cervical cancer screening. Housing insecurity (aOR = 0.79), living at or below 100%FPL (aOR = 0.82), and having family history of cancer (aOR = 0.62) were associated with lower odds of cervical cancer screening, while completing an annual wellness visit in the previous year was associated with higher odds of cervical cancer screening (aOR = 1.25). In the combined models, each additional HRSN reduced likelihood of completing breast (OR=0.72) and cervical cancer screening (OR=0.77).ConclusionsAddressing HRSN is essential for improving screening completion in safety-net populations. Interventions targeting food insecurity and housing instability can support access to preventive cancer care.