Cancer
HPV vaccination beliefs and cancer screening among sexual and gender minorities: Potential cancer prevention opportunities from community engagement Geetanjali Datta* Geetanjali Datta Marvin Langston Dong Hee Kim So Yung Choi Laurel Finster Marc Goodman A. Barbara Moscicki Melissa Bondy Michelle Khan Robert Haile Zul Surani
Background: HPV vaccination and cancer screening remain underutilized among members of sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities. Engaging SGM people through PRIDE events could provide a valuable opportunity for implementing targeted interventions. However, little is known about the prevalence of cancer-related beliefs and screening uptake among PRIDE attendees. Methods: Community Outreach and Engagement coordinators administered questionnaires during 5 PRIDE events throughout Southern California from 2022-2023 among individuals over 18 years old who reside in Los Angeles County (N=790). Separate analyses were conducted for each outcome. To be inclusive of most ages for which HPV vaccination can be recommended, we included responses from individuals <50 yrs for assessment of HPV vaccination beliefs(N=492). In-line with recommendations, we calculated the prevalence of lifetime screening uptake for colorectal (among all age 50-75, N=75), cervical (among those assigned female at birth with a cervix age 24-65, N=257), and breast (among those assigned female at birth age 50-74, N=27) cancer. Separate analyses were conducted for each outcome. Results: Twelve percent of respondents answered “no“ and 19% answered “I don’t know“ to the question, “Do you think the HPV vaccine is effective in reducing the risk of cervical cancer?“ Fifteen percent of those who met screening criteria reported never having been screened for cervical, 7% for breast, and 15% for colorectal cancer (CRC). Conclusion: Lifetime breast and CRC screening uptake among respondents were comparable to or higher than the US average, though rates for cervical cancer screening were below national estimates. Furthermore, over 30% of respondents were either unaware or were unconvinced of the cervical cancer prevention benefits of HPV vaccination. PRIDE events could serve as an effective venue to implement interventions aimed at increasing knowledge and uptake of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening.