Cancer screening behaviors among Canadian women living with physical disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
To report the prevalence and factors associated with ever having had a Papanicolaou (Pap) test or pelvic examination among Canadian women with physical disabilities and the barriers to having the tests.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
General community.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 1095 women between the ages of 18 to 93 completed the survey. The most frequently reported health conditions were musculoskeletal (44%), neurologic (17%), and sensory (13%).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Outcomes included prevalence of ever having a Pap test or pelvic examination and odds ratios of having the tests.


RESULTS
Prevalence of ever having a Pap test was 90% and 91% for a pelvic examination. The most common barriers to the screening tests were "not being sexually active," "my doctor told me I do not need one," and "the exam table is too high/narrow."


CONCLUSIONS
Although the prevalence of ever having a Pap test or pelvic examination was at or above 90%, women with physical disabilities need further education on the necessity and benefits of having regular cancer screening behaviors, especially among those who may not be sexually active. Further research is also required into why these women are informed that they do not require cancer screening tests.
Cooper
Nicole S
NS
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Yoshida
Karen K
KK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010388:Pelvis; D010808:Physical Examination; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014626:Vaginal Smears