Gaining perspectives about the facilitators and barriers to breast cancer screening from women with physical disabilities and their providers

Background/Significance: Over 20% of US women live with at least one disability. As these women have an equal or greater chance as others of developing breast cancer, barriers to screening put them at risk for late diagnosis and poor health outcomes. For women in North Central Florida, rural residence compounded by physical disability poses barriers to screening. To address these barriers, we must clarify the functional significance that physical disability plays into accessing and providing preventive care.

Objective/Purpose: The purpose of this on-going study is to better understand the factors that impact nationally recommended breast cancer screening from the perspectives of women with physical disabilities and their health care providers.

Methods: In partnership with the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF) and under the guidance of a Steering Committee (comprising individuals from the disability community, and representatives from local-, state-, and federal-level organizations and agencies), in-depth telephone interviews were developed and conducted with 30 individual women and health care providers. Analysis involved both quantitative and qualitative techniques with the goal of organizing factors into the PRECEDE program planning framework.

Results and Discussion: We will report the key interview themes that emerged during analysis, and present the factors that influence breast cancer screening as organized into a useful program-planning framework. We will also discuss the implications of the findings for assisting the CILNCF in incorporating breast health quality of life into its mission, and for informing interventions and policy that are participatory, empowering, and appropriate.