Non-Performance of Cancer Screening in Peru: A Comparative Analysis between Regions Exposed and Unexposed to Ozone Layer Mini-Hole

Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with non-performance of cancer screening in Peru based on an analysis between a department exposed to an ozone layer mini-hole versus an unexposed one. Materials and Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study. The study included individuals aged 15 years and older who responded to questions about cancer screening in the Demographic and Family Health Surveys 2017-2022, comparing a department exposed to an ozone layer mini-hole (Arequipa) with an unexposed one (Lima). Sociodemographic, geographic, health status, and cancer knowledge variables were obtained. Multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression with robust standard error. Results: The study included 10,546 people. The prevalence of non-performance of cancer screening was 75.2%. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex was a significant risk factor (aPR=1.41; 95% CI: 1.37-1.44), while access to health insurance (aPR=0.91; 95% CI: 0.89-0.93) and the belief that cancer is preventable (aPR=0.92; 95% CI: 0.88-0.95) were protective factors. Education level and wealth index also showed associations with aPR values close to 1. Residence in Arequipa was not a significant factor for non-participation in cancer screening. Conclusion: The prevalence of non-performance of cancer screening was high. The main factor associated with not undergoing cancer screening was male sex, while having access to health insurance and believing that cancer is preventable were protective factors.