Weight discrimination and up-to-date breast and cervical cancer screening in US women.

[OBJECTIVE] Little research has investigated whether people's experiences with weight-related discrimination serve as a barrier to cancer screening. This study examined the association between weight discrimination and receipt of up to date (UTD) cervical and breast cancer screening in a demographically diverse sample of US women with representation across the body mass index (BMI) spectrum.

[METHODS] In 2021, women aged 25-64 years completed an online survey. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the association between perceived weight discrimination (as measured by the Stigmatizing Situations Survey-Brief) and self-reported cervical (N = 909) and breast cancer screening (N = 442), in Black and White women, adjusting for BMI and demographic characteristics.

[RESULTS] Among White women, more frequent exposure to weight discrimination was associated with significantly lower odds of UTD cervical cancer screening, AOR = 0.78; 95 % CI = 0.62, 0.97, and breast cancer screening, AOR = 0.53, 95 % CI = 0.36, 0.78; for each unit increase on the weight discrimination scale, the odds of screening decreased by approximately 25-50 %. In contrast, weight discrimination was not significantly associated with either type of screening among Black women.

[CONCLUSIONS] Previous experiences with weight discrimination may deter some women from seeking routine cancer screening. Strategies for mitigating the harmful consequences of weight-related discrimination in health care settings are needed.