Disability and Participation in Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Fahrin Ramadan Andiwijaya, Calum Davey, Khaoula Bessame, Abdourahmane Ndong and Hannah Kuper
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Fahrin Ramadan Andiwijaya: Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mataram, Mataram 83125, Indonesia
Calum Davey: International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Khaoula Bessame: West Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Watford WD18 0HB, UK
Abdourahmane Ndong: Faculty of Health Sciences, Gaston Berger University of Saint-Louis, Saint-Louis 234, Senegal
Hannah Kuper: International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-20

Abstract: It is well established that access to preventative care, such as breast or cervical cancer screening, can reduce morbidity and mortality. Certain groups may be missed out of these healthcare services, such as women with disabilities, as they face many access barriers due to underlying inequalities and negative attitudes. However, the data have not been reviewed on whether women with disabilities face inequalities in the uptake of these services. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to compare the uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening in women with and without disabilities. A search was conducted in July 2021 across four databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, Global Health, and CINAHL. Quantitative studies comparing the uptake of breast or cervical cancer screening between women with and without disabilities were eligible. Twenty-nine studies were included, all from high-income settings. One third of the 29 studies (34.5%, n = 10) were deemed to have a high risk of bias, and the remainder a low risk of bias. The pooled estimates showed that women with disabilities have 0.78 (95% CI: 0.72–0.84) lower odds of attending breast cancer screening and have 0.63 (95% CI: 0.45–0.88) lower odds of attending cervical cancer screening, compared to women without disabilities. In conclusion, women with disabilities face disparities in receipt of preventative cancer care. There is consequently an urgent need to evaluate and improve the inclusivity of cancer screening programs and thereby prevent avoidable morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: disability; cancer; screening; mammography; pap smear (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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