Behavioral economics, lifestyle, and health-related factors associated with participation in breast and cervical cancer screenings: A cross-sectional analysis of Japanese women

Objective

This study investigated factors influencing Japanese women's participation in breast and cervical cancer screenings, with a focus on health behaviors, behavioral economics characteristics, socioeconomic status, and physical and mental health.

Methods

Using secondary data from the Japan Household Panel Survey (Wave 2021, collected February 2021), we analyzed responses from 410 women aged ≤70 years. Key variables included risk aversion, time preference, exercise frequency, smoking status, alcohol consumption, nutritional intake, subjective and mental health, body mass index, and sociodemographic factors such as education, employment, and municipality type.

Results

The participants' mean age was 52.92 years (standard deviation = 9.17 years). Of the women, 15.9 % underwent cervical cancer screening and 16.8 % underwent breast cancer screening. A logistic regression analysis revealed that, for both breast and cervical cancer screenings, high psychological distress, risk aversion, and smoking were associated with lower participation, whereas regular exercise, permanent employment, and residence in towns and villages were associated with higher participation. Smoking was significantly associated with breast cancer screening participation, and utilization of medical services was significantly associated with cervical cancer screening participation.

Conclusion

Interventions incorporating behavioral economics approaches, such as addressing risk perception and promoting health behaviors, may enhance Japanese women's cancer screening participation.