Disparities in Cancer Screening Practices among Minority and Underrepresented Populations.

OBJECTIVES: To review current evidence about cancer screening challenges that lead to cancer health disparities in minority populations.

DATA SOURCES: Research reports, published journal articles, web sites, and clinical practice observations.

CONCLUSION: There are significant disparities that exist in cancer screening practices among racial and ethnic minority and underrepresented populations, resulting in disproportionately higher cancer mortality rates in these populations.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses are positioned to lead in educating, promoting, and bringing awareness to cancer screening recommendationsand current cancer prevention guidelines for at-risk individuals, and help them to implement these guidelines to reduce incidence and mortality.