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Cancer / Cancer Prevention · Journal article
Current Epidemiology Reports · January 17, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This systematic review of 40 observational US studies documents that cancer screening research among people with HIV is dominated by studies of HPV-associated cancers (68%), with limited and predominantly individual-level measurement of social determinants of health. The evidence base is characterized by sparse data on screening for non-infectious cancers (lung, colorectal, prostate, breast) and minimal structural measurement of neighborhood, facility-level, or systems-level factors that may drive disparities.
Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. US-based studies of people with HIV examining relationship between social determinants of health and cancer screening behaviors.. n = 40. United States.
40 articles met eligibility criteria from 2334 initially identified; 1146 underwent title/abstract screening; 86 reviewed full-length 68% of articles (n=27) focused on screening for anal and cervical cancer (HPV-associated) 22% of studies provided information on cancers without infectious etiology (lung n=3, prostate n=1, colorectal n=4, breast n=1)
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Clinicians and researchers should recognize that the existing literature on cancer screening in PWH is heavily skewed toward HPV-associated cancers and individual-level socioeconomic factors, with minimal evidence on structural determinants, facility-level factors, or non-infectious cancers (particularly lung cancer), which are major causes of cancer death in this population. This gap suggests that current knowledge may not adequately inform interventions targeting systemic barriers to screening.
A systematic review of 40 observational studies with heterogeneous designs and predominantly individual-level measurements; identifies evidence gaps rather than establishing definitive causal relationships or practice changes.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
Clinicians and researchers should recognize that the existing literature on cancer screening in PWH is heavily skewed toward HPV-associated cancers and individual-level socioeconomic factors, with minimal evidence on structural determinants, facility-level factors, or non-infectious cancers (particularly lung cancer), which are major causes of cancer death in this population. This gap suggests that current knowledge may not adequately inform interventions targeting systemic barriers to screening.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
Purpose of review. In the US, people with HIV (PWH) are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at advanced stages, contributing to higher cancer-specific mortality rates. As such, the leading cause of non-AIDS death among PWH is cancer, including cancers with guideline recommended screening as a part of preventative care. Nonmedical drivers of health contribute to poor access to timely cancer screening among PWH. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the available evidence on the relationship between social determinants of health (SDoH) and cancer screening behaviors among PWH in the US.Recent findings. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search for peer-reviewed US-specific studies published between 2010-2024 using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Our search strategy included key terms that fell under four key concepts: 1. SDoH, 2. HIV, 3. Cancers of interest, and 4. Outcomes of interest. Of the 2334 articles identified, 1146 underwent title/abstract screening and 86 full-length articles were reviewed for eligibility. Overall, 40 articles met eligibility criteria for inclusion in our data synthesis. Over two-thirds (68%, n =27) of articles focused on screening for anal and cervical cancer, both HPV-associated cancers, and less than one-quarter (22%) of studies provided information on screening for cancers without an infectious etiology (lung [i = 3], prostate [n =1], colorectal [n =4], breast cancers [n =1]). Importantly, the main SDoH reported by studies in this review were individual-level factors related to economic stability (i.e., annual income or employment status) or educational attainment. With respect to healthcare access and quality, the most reported indicator was health insurance coverage with a few studies reporting on provider or facility type, and number of visits per year. Finally, for neighborhood and built environment factors, only two studies reported on county-level social vulnerability and area-level poverty.Summary. Although cancers without an infectious etiology, such as lung cancer, are major causes of cancer deaths among PWH, most existing work focuses on cervical and anal cancer prevention with limited SDoH measures. Measurement of SDoH in cancer prevention research among PWH should be prioritized and broadened to include structural factors.
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