Impact of prior underinsurance on cervical cancer screening among Davidson County, Tennessee, women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, 2008–2018

INTRODUCTION: We sought to investigate the association between insurance coverage history and cervical cancer screening among Davidson County, Tennessee, women diagnosed with incident cervical cancer. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer from 2008 through 2018 identified via the state's cancer registry and by active surveillance of diagnostic pathology reports for the HPV-IMPACT project. Per 2012 United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended cervical cancer screening guidelines, women were characterized into three screening history categories: “no screening”, “no follow-up” and “test/screening failure”. Multivariable logistic regression measured the association of prior inadequate insurance (underinsurance) and screening history (“no screening/no follow-up” compared to “test/screening failure”). RESULTS: Of 212 women, most (77%) had not undergone recommended cervical cancer screening or follow-up prior to cancer diagnosis. Overall, 28% of women had history of underinsurance in 5 years prior to diagnosis. In adjusted analyses, underinsured women were more likely to have a “no screening/no follow-up” prior to cancer diagnosis (aOR 4.26; 95% CI 1.15–15.80) compared to “test/screening failure” history. Non-white race (aOR 2.73; 95% CI 0.98–7.61), older age (aOR 1.03 per year; 95% CI 1.00–1.07), and history of smoking (aOR 4.07; 95% CI 1.54–10.74) were also associated with increased likelihood of “no screening/no follow-up”. CONCLUSIONS: Previous underinsurance was independently associated with non-adherence to cervical cancer screening and follow-up guidelines among women with incident cervical cancer. Further study of factors contributing to inadequate cervical cancer screening and interventions to increase cervical cancer screening in high-risk populations is needed. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-022-01638-9.