“Why People with Severe Mental Illness are Less Likely to Attend Cancer Screenings, According to New Research”

A new study from the University of Surrey and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) at the Department of Health and Social Care found that people with severe mental illness are less likely to attend cancer screenings, which may contribute to their higher risk of premature death from cancer. The study, which included data from over one million people, revealed that there were disparities in attendance at cancer screenings for people with severe mental illness, especially those diagnosed with schizophrenia, other psychoses, and bipolar disorder. Inequalities were widest for bowel cancer screenings, followed by breast and cervical screenings. Additionally, attendance was lower for those living in more deprived areas of the country, where the prevalence of severe mental illness is also higher. The data also showed that participation in bowel cancer screenings was lower for Black adults with severe mental illness compared to White adults. Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy and information, Dr Ian Walker, urged further research into this area to understand why these gaps exist and to build targeted interventions to ensure everyone benefits equally from early cancer diagnosis programs. The study was published in the British Journal of Cancer.