Improving cancer prevention among people experiencing homelessness

While people experiencing homelessness are more exposed to cancer-associated risk factors, there is a lack of awareness and structures for targeted cancer prevention. Yet people experiencing homelessness are twice as likely to be affected by cancer as people who are resident. Against this backdrop, an international team led by Igor Grabovac and Maren Jeleff from MedUni Vienna's Center for Public Health has systematically assessed the health challenges of this population group for the first time in order to create a scientifically sound basis for the development of preventive measures. Their review article has just been published in the top journal "The Lancet Public Health". By analysing 40 studies on aspects of the topic, it was possible for the first time to gain a comprehensive overview of the many factors that determine access to cancer preventive services for people experiencing homelessness. "We systematically collected the findings on both the cancer risk factors and the barriers to cancer prevention among people experiencing homelessness," says study leader Igor Grabovac (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health at MedUni Vienna), summarising the special feature of the review. In addition to the obvious focus of people experiencing homelessness on basic needs such as food and a safe place to sleep, the deficits in cancer prevention include a lack of support from family and friends, a low level of education or a lack of infrastructure and privacy for preparing for examinations.