Cultural preferences and inequalities in cancer screening uptake

Why this project matters

Cancer screening can save lives, but not everyone participates to the same extent. Differences in screening uptake are often explained by access, income, education, or healthcare systems. However, cultural norms and preferences may also shape how people think about prevention, risk, and future health. Understanding these influences is important for designing screening programs that are more effective, equitable, and responsive to different populations.

Research focus

The project aims to:

• investigate how cultural time and risk preferences may affect participation in preventive cancer screening
• examine differences in screening uptake across social and population groups
• use second-generation immigrant populations to better distinguish cultural influences from institutional and economic factors
• compare patterns within Sweden and across European settings
• generate evidence that can inform policies to reduce disparities in cancer prevention

Methods and data

The project uses epidemiological and register-based methods to analyse participation in cancer screening across groups and contexts. A particular focus is placed on second-generation immigrants, where institutional and economic conditions may be more similar than in first-generation populations, making it easier to study the role of culture and preferences. The project combines population-level data with contextual comparisons within Sweden and across Europe.