Cervical cancer in foreign-born women living in Italy: A systematic review of population-based studies

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) incidence in Italy has declined due to organized screening and HPV vaccination programs. However, disparities persist among vulnerable populations, including foreign-born women. This study aims to retrieve and synthesize evidence from population-based studies focusing on CC incidence among foreign-born women in Italy. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify population-based epidemiological studies on CC in Italy. A comprehensive and systematic search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus. Studies were included if they reported data comparing foreign-born and Italian-born women in Italy and were based on cancer registry records. Due to heterogeneity in study designs and data, we used a descriptive and comparative approach rather than a meta-analysis. Results: A total of five pertinent articles were identified and included in the review. Findings consistently indicate a higher incidence or relative risk of CC among foreign-born women in Italy, with estimates ranging from a modest increase to more than double the risk compared with Italian-born women. Higher incidence of both invasive cervical cancer and high-grade pre-malignant lesions was observed across multiple regions, particularly among women originating from countries with high HPV prevalence and high migratory pressure. Conclusion: These findings highlight persistent inequalities in cervical cancer risk between foreign-born and Italian-born women in Italy. Differences by country of origin may be associated with unequal access to timely and adequate care and with cultural barriers faced by specific immigrant women. Targeted policies and culturally sensitive interventions are needed to increase awareness, accessibility, healthcare navigation ability, and participation in cervical cancer screening, while addressing structural, linguistic, and informational barriers among high-risk migrant groups.