182887 What makes it easy or hard to receive, recommend and/or provide breast health screening to women with physical disabilities? Insights from women and health care providers

Monday, October 27, 2008: 11:00 AM

Ellen Lopez, PhD, MPH , University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Eva Egensteiner , University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Elena Andresen, PhD , Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Melissa Lanzone , University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Vijay Vasudevan , Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
William Kennedy , Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, Gainesville, FL
Staci Graff, MPA , Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, Gainesville, FL
Background/Significance: US women who are living with physical disabilities have an equal or greater chance as other women of developing breast cancer. For these women and their health care providers, the ability to receive, recommend and/or provide breast health screenings (clinical breast exams, mammograms, self breast exams) as nationally recommended can be challenging.

Objective/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to better understand the factors that impact preventive breast health screening from the perspectives of women with physical disabilities and health care providers in North Central Florida.

Methods: In partnership with the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida and under the guidance of a Steering Committee (comprising individuals from the disability community, and representatives from local-, state-, and federal-level organizations), in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with 30 women with physical disabilities and 29 health care providers. Analysis involved both quantitative and qualitative techniques.

Results and Discussion: Among women respondents, nearly all had “ever” received the three breast health screenings, yet most were currently off-schedule with recommended guidelines. In elucidating the issues surrounding screening, we will report key factors and themes that emerged from the interviews – focusing on those found to be similar and unique among providers and women. These include: knowledge and attitudes about cancer and screening, opinions and experiences related to health care accessibility, and perceptions related to the role disability plays in health care behavior and practice. Finally, we will discuss implications of these findings for future inquiry and intervention.

Learning Objectives:
• Articulate the need for research and intervention that addresses the health care needs and quality of life of women living with physical disabilities. • Understand the need for research and intervention that addresses the factors that influence health care professionals practice pertaining to women with physical disabilities • Name several factors that impact whether or not women with physical disabilities receive, and health care professionals recommend/provide breast cancer screening

Keywords: Breast Cancer Screening, Access

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the PI on this study
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Disability and Health Promotion A
See more of: Disability