title: Barriers to cancer screening for people with disabilities: a literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Over 50 million Americans are currently living with some form of disability. Studies have shown that people with disabilities are underinsured, have less access to health care, and are more likely to engage in risky health behavior. Routine preventive screenings for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer are recommended for all adults to improve early detection and treatment of cancer. Although early detection of cancer offers the best chances for treatment and survival, cancer screening has been limited for many people with disabilities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present results of a scoping review of studies focused on barriers to cancer screening for people with disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online databases were searched for research articles on barriers to cancer screening (breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal) in people with disabilities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-five peer-reviewed articles met inclusion criteria. Existing research on cancer screenings, particularly prostate cancer, among people with disabilities is limited. Current studies suggest that those with advanced disabilities are not being screened for cancer as often as the able-bodied population with the exception of military veterans. Education, income, age, employment, screening history, tobacco use, activity level, disability level, and geography affected screening rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Barriers include cost, access, health care provider discomfort, and physical and cognitive restraints. Future interventions to improve routine preventive cancer screenings rates could include specialized health care provider training, community interventions, emphasis on the value of health promotion and the specific health care needs of people with disabilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. Electronic address: JMerten@unf.edu.
authors.forename: Julie Williams
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Merten
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Science and Community Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Jamie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pomeranz
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Science and Community Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Science and Community Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moorhouse
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
authors.forename: Richmond D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Wynn
mesh_terms: D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Barriers; Cancer screening; People with disabilities