Kath Peters1, Antoinette Cotton. 1. School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the experiences of breast cancer screening for women with physical disabilities. BACKGROUND: Despite women with disabilities having the same or greater risk of having breast cancer than women without disabilities, they are less likely to uptake breast cancer screening services. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: Twelve women with physical disabilities were recruited for the purpose of this study. Data were collected via semi-structured face to face or telephone interviews. Interviews were transcribed and data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Overwhelmingly, participants conveyed that their breast screening experiences were negative. The following four themes describe the experiences of breast cancer screening for women with physical disabilities: feeling I'm not in control; being ignored and not listened to; being helpless, alone and afraid and; experiencing pain, torture and humiliation. CONCLUSIONS: Women with physical disabilities experience substantial barriers to breast cancer screening. This research highlights that the attitudes and poor communication skills of health professionals served as a deterrent to future screening for participants. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: By exploring experiences of women with physical disabilities of breast cancer screening, nurses and other health-care professionals can use this to develop and implement optimal approaches, such as collaborative models of care which empower women with disabilities.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the experiences of breast cancer screening for women with physical disabilities. BACKGROUND: Despite women with disabilities having the same or greater risk of having breast cancer than women without disabilities, they are less likely to uptake breast cancer screening services. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: Twelve women with physical disabilities were recruited for the purpose of this study. Data were collected via semi-structured face to face or telephone interviews. Interviews were transcribed and data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Overwhelmingly, participants conveyed that their breast screening experiences were negative. The following four themes describe the experiences of breast cancer screening for women with physical disabilities: feeling I'm not in control; being ignored and not listened to; being helpless, alone and afraid and; experiencing pain, torture and humiliation. CONCLUSIONS:Women with physical disabilities experience substantial barriers to breast cancer screening. This research highlights that the attitudes and poor communication skills of health professionals served as a deterrent to future screening for participants. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: By exploring experiences of women with physical disabilities of breast cancer screening, nurses and other health-care professionals can use this to develop and implement optimal approaches, such as collaborative models of care which empower women with disabilities.
Authors: S Floud; I Barnes; M Verfürden; H Kuper; T Gathani; R G Blanks; R Alison; J Patnick; V Beral; J Green; G K Reeves Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2017-10-03 Impact factor: 7.640