Women with Chronic Health Problems and Disabilities Less Likely to Screen for Breast Cancer

Women with disabilities and various chronic health issues are less often screened for breast cancer than those with moderate or no medical problems, a new research shows.

Past researches have shown that women with a certain level of disability are more likely to get screened for breast cancer. This is in stark contrast to the findings of the current study. The researchers of the present study provided a probable explanation for this, saying that the previous findings might have produced the result considering that those women are in constant contact with the healthcare system.

"Despite the presence of a universal health insurance system in Ontario, our research highlights the persistence of significant health disparities in breast cancer screening, particularly for women who are more vulnerable due to severe disability, multiple chronic conditions, low income and lower education," Dr Sara Guilcher, an affiliate scientist with the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, said in a press release.

She explained that women with disabilities mostly belong to low income and low education groups.

The findings of the study showed that highest rate of breast cancer screenings were in women with moderate levels of disabilities and one chronic condition with 75 per cent. Those with severe disability, across levels of chronic conditions, had the lowest rate of breast cancer screening at 61 percent. Women diagnosed with two or more chronic conditions were screened particularly less often.

"Women who are at a lower socioeconomic position may be less likely to be assertive and to be strong advocates for their health care management," said Dr. Guilcher.

Dr Guilcher said that breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.

The findings of the study were published in the journal Preventive Medicine.

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