Breast cancer screening project for women with physical disabilities

Abstract Objectives: Women with disabilities are diagnosed with breast cancer at later stages, impacting survival, treatment options, and ultimately quality of life. Despite 20 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, numerous barriers exist for women with disabilities in accessing preventive exams. Independence Care System developed a model program to increase utilization of mammography for breast cancer screening. Methods: This pilot project recruited women over the age of 40 with a physical disability who had reported an adverse experience or not obtained a recent mammogram. Two mammography facilities agreed to participate in the project and received disability awareness and sensitivity training to all staff. A nurse educator with expertise in disability accompanied each woman during her mammography appointment providing support with navigating the facilities, beginning with the registration process and continuing through the actual mammography procedure. Results: In the project's first year (2008/09), 18 women with less severe physical disabilities participated; one reported never having had a mammography. In the second year (2009/10), 24 women with more severe disabilities were recruited; six reported never having had a mammography and nine had not had one for more than two years. Conclusions: The ICS model increased mammography compliance through the presence of a nurse educator at facilities trained in disability awareness. This program has been replicated at additional sites and includes GYN examinations. In existence for five years, the Project has as its goal widely promoting this model with professionals in health care facilities serving the underserved.