Intimate Partner Violence and Risk for Cervical Cancer

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the literature and present a comprehensive model of three pathways through which IPV increases the risk for cervical cancer. The first pathway is increased exposure to cervical cancer risk factors among IPV victims, including smoking, psychosocial stress, risky sexual behaviors, and sexually transmitted infections (STDs/STIs), particularly human papillomavirus infection. The second pathway is poor compliance with cervical cancer screening. The third pathway is delay/discontinuation in treatment for cervical dysplasia and neoplasia. Control imposed by the abusive partner, competing life priorities, and limited access to financial/support resources restrict a woman's ability to seek cancer services. Higher rates, severity, and duration of IPV among low-income, Black, and Hispanic women may explain the pervasive cervical cancer disparities.