Women with mental health problems twice the risk of developing cervical cancer uterus because they are more likely to neglect regular gynecological exams, according to a new study.

An observational study that conducted by the Karolinska Institute of Sweden and published in the scientific journal The Lancet.was based on a sample of four million women born between 1940 and 1995.

The researchers compared women diagnosed with mental illness, neuropsychiatric disorders, and substance abuse with women without this diagnosis.

They then calculated the risk of cervical cancer, cervical precancerous lesions, and the participation of these women in screening programs.

According to a study carried out in @TheLancetPH
Research @KejiaHu66 and others.#mental health #CervicalCheck https://t.co/YefGVqhBvQ pic.twitter.com/DqGNDwQBRp

— Karolinskainst (@karolinskainst) March 24, 2023

“Our study identified a high-risk group that requires further attention if we are to succeed in eradicating cervical cancer,” said Keia Hu, co-leader of the study and researcher at the Karolinska Institute for Environmental Medicine.

The increased risk for this type of cancer was for all three of the above women diagnoses, but was more associated with those who abused substances.

The results show that women with these diagnoses are “less likely to participate in screening but have a higher incidence of cervical lesions,” Hu adds.

According to the researchers, women suffering from mental illness should be more consistent in their gynecological examinations.

“Consequently, when healthcare professionals are more aware of the risk of cancer in these patients, they can step up preventive measures given how they will be provided to women who are potentially underserved,” says Karin Sudstrom, co-leader of the study.

Source: skynews