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CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Cancer Prevention & Control, Client-Oriented Screening Interventions: Reducing Out-of-Pocket Costs: Cervical Cancer

CDC

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Interventions to reduce client out-of-pocket costs attempt to minimize or remove economic barriers that make it difficult for clients to access cancer screening services. Costs can be reduced through a variety of approaches, including vouchers, reimbursements, reduction in co-pays, or adjustments in federal or state insurance coverage. Efforts to reduce client costs may be combined with measures to provide client education, information about program availability, or measures to reduce structural barriers.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) finds insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of reducing out-of-pocket costs in increasing screening for cervical cancer because too few studies were identified. The consistent favorable results for interventions that reduce costs for breast cancer screening and several other preventive services suggest that such interventions are likely to be effective for increasing cervical cancer screening as well.

Goal / Mission

The goal of the interventions is to reduce client out-of-pocket costs to minimize or remove economic barriers that make it difficult for clients to access cancer screening services.

Impact

Consistently favorable results for interventions that reduce costs for breast cancer screening and several other preventive services suggest that such interventions are likely to be effective for increasing cervical cancer screening as well.

Results / Accomplishments

The CPSTF finding is based on evidence from a Community Guide systematic review published in 2008 (Baron et al., 1 study, search period 1966-2004) combined with more recent evidence (0 studies, search period 2004-2008). The systematic review was conducted on behalf of the CPSTF by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and in research, practice, and policy related to cancer prevention and control.

One study qualified for the original systematic review; no new studies were identified for the update.
• Pap tests: reported increase of 17 percentage points.
• An economic review of this intervention did not find any relevant studies.

There is insufficient evidence to determine effectiveness of this intervention in increasing screening for cervical cancer.

About this Promising Practice

Primary Contact
The Community Guide
1600 Clifton Rd, NE
MS E69
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 498-1827
communityguide@cdc.gov
https://www.thecommunityguide.org/
Topics
Health / Cancer
Health / Women's Health
Source
Community Guide Branch Epidemiology and Analysis Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date of publication
Oct 2009
Location
USA
For more details
Target Audience
Adults, Women
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance