People with Disability Are Missing Out on Cancer Screening, Resulting in Higher Mortality Rates

Strategic Insights -

Cancer is a leading cause of death for people with disability, with a lack of access to screening programs contributing to this disparity. A study of 73 global studies found that people with disability are 20% more likely to die from cancer than those without. The findings reveal striking inequities in cancer control approaches, highlighting the need for improved access to screening programs and cancer services. Cancer screening programs are crucial for early detection and prevention, yet many people with disability are missing out due to inaccessible clinics, lack of information in accessible formats, and inadequate time for informed consent.

Key Takeaways:

  • People with disability are missing out on cancer screening programs, including breast, cervical, and bowel cancer screenings.
  • Studies found that people with disability are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at an advanced stage, which reduces treatment options and survival rates.
  • Cancer patients with disability are at a disadvantage, with lower survival rates and poorer quality cancer care, including delayed treatment, undertreatment, and inadequate pain management.
  • People with disability experience direct and indirect discrimination in healthcare, leading to poorer outcomes and delayed diagnoses.
  • Prevention and early detection strategies, such as public health interventions and national screening programs tailored to people with disability, are essential for improving cancer control.
  • Clinics need to be physically accessible, and information must be available in accessible formats to support people with disability in making informed decisions.
  • Training for health professionals to understand and respond to the needs of people with disability is crucial for optimal cancer care.

Statistics:

  • 20% of extra deaths among Australians with disability are caused by cancer.
  • Almost half of cancers in a UK study of cancer deaths in people with intellectual disability were diagnosed at an advanced stage.
  • 34.6% of cancers in the UK study were diagnosed after the patient had visited the emergency department.
  • People with disability are more likely to be poor and live in disadvantaged circumstances, exacerbating their risk of cancer.
  • Many factors that cause cancer, such as smoking and unaffordable healthy food, disproportionately impact disadvantaged groups.

Sources:

  • The Conversation (Au and NZ) -- By Yi Yang, Research Fellow, Social Epidemiology, Melbourne Disability Institute, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne
  • People with disability are dying from cancers we can actually prevent, our study shows -- https://theconversation.com/people-with-disability-are-dying-from-cancers-we-can-actually-prevent-our-study-shows-257456