This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Smith, Samuel G., et al. "Inequalities in cancer screening participation: examining differences in perceived benefits and barriers." Psycho‐Oncology (2016), which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pon.4195. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.