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Abstract
We assessed associations between depressive symptoms, neuroticism, and participation in breast and cervical screening using UK Biobank. Women in the UK Biobank cohort who were eligible for breast cancer screening (aged 50-70 years) and/or cervical screening (<65 years) at baseline recruitment (2006-2010) and those with follow-up data (2014-2019) were identified. More severe depressive symptoms were associated with reduced likelihood of breast and cervical screening participation, in cross-sectional analyses. Higher neuroticism scores were associated with reduced cervical screening participation, but the opposite was found for breast cancer screening. Examination of individual neuroticism items revealed that anxiety and worry were associated with increased breast screening. At follow-up, higher baseline depressive symptoms were related to decreased cervical screening, but not with breast screening. More severe depressive symptoms may be a barrier for breast and cervical screening and could be an indicator for more proactive strategies to improve uptake.