ArticleBMC women's health2025
Sexual assault and cancer pathways: a scoping review of biomedical and screening outcomes.
Article in BMC women's health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
1 author.
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Abstract
backgroundSexual assault (SA) is a pervasive global health problem with long-term psychological and physical consequences. While the mental health effects of SA are well documented, growing evidence suggests that SA may increase cancer vulnerability through biological, behavioural, and healthcare-access mechanisms.
objectiveTo examine the relationship between SA and cancer-related outcomes with a focus on behavioural and infection-related mechanisms reported in empirical studies.
methodsA scoping review was conducted of studies published between 2000 and 2025 in PubMed. Eligible studies reported cancer outcomes among SA survivors. Data were extracted on study design, population characteristics, and effect measures. This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR reporting guidance.
resultsTwelve studies met inclusion criteria. Survivors demonstrated lower participation in cervical and breast cancer screening (reductions of 20-40%), higher cancer-related infection rates (relative risk 1.13-1.9), and greater odds of cancer or precancerous disease (OR 1.27-4.5). Qualitative findings described distress and re-traumatisation during pelvic examinations as major screening barriers.
conclusionSexual assault is associated with increased cancer vulnerability through converging biological, behavioural, and structural pathways. Incorporating trauma-informed approaches into cancer prevention, screening, and treatment is essential to addressing this overlooked aspect of survivor health.
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