Cervical and breast cancer-screening knowledge of women with developmental disabilities.
Women with developmental disabilities are significantly less likely than women without disabilities to receive cervical and breast cancer screening according to clinical guidelines. The reasons for this gap are not understood. The present study examined the extent of women's knowledge about cervical and breast cancer screening, with the intention of informing the development and testing of interventions to increase cervical and breast cancer screening rates for these women. In a sample of 202 community-dwelling women with developmental disabilities, most women had little knowledge of cervical and breast cancer screening. Women who were living at home with family caregivers had the most limited understanding of cervical and breast cancer screening. Policy and practice implications are discussed.
Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA. slp@brandeis.edu
Susan L
SL
Parish
Jamie G
JG
Swaine
Karen
K
Luken
Roderick A
RA
Rose
Sarah
S
Dababnah
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*