FACTORS INFLUENCING WOMEN WITH DISABILITY TO ACCESS BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

Women with disabilities experience disparities in cancer screening, especially cervical cancer and breast cancer. Mostly women with disabilities detected at an advanced stage compared to women without disabilities. The aim of this research was to review the factors influencing women with disability to access breast and cervical cancer screening. The results of this study can be used as a guide to help women with disabilities access cancer screening and treatment. A scoping review is following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. We searched for English articles published in the last five years in four databases namely PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and ProQuest. The quality of the articles was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The data obtained were analyzed through a textual narrative synthesis. The results of the study found that similar factors influence how women with disabilities access cancer screening services when compared to women without disabilities, but they are also exacerbated by the situation of their disability. Other factors that influencing women with disability to access screening are demographic factors, habits and history of other diseases, environment, social support, knowledge, access to health services and access to information. The conclusion of the study shows that there is a need for support for cancer screening service providers to understand the barrier of women with disabilities and be adjusted to the severity of their disability.