The hidden cancer screening crisis

Disabled women are less likely to undergo breast and cervical screening. Ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Sunday, new finds out why - and what can be done to help

- LUCY ROBINSON

We all know the importance of health check-ups and screening programmes. In an age where one in two people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime, keeping tabs on our health is more important than ever.

But for people with physical disabilities, accessing health care can sometimes be an issue. From practical problems to societal barriers, those with physical disabilities can, at times, face obstacles around a range of services such as breast cancer screening.

"While annual data on breast screening uptake is not broken down by disability status, research consistently shows women with disabilities, including but not limited to physical disabilities, are much less likely to undergo breast screening when they are eligible," explains Manveet Basra, associate director of public health, inclusion and awareness at Breast Cancer Now.

"For people with physical disabilities, there are many possible challenges they could face depending on where they live, such as screening sites not being easily accessible; a lack of disability-friendly transport options; and in the case of mobile units, no step-free access or not enough room to accommodate a wheelchair user or someone who needs a carer present."

Helene Raynsford, 43, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. From being part of a screening programme to receiving treatment, the Paralympic gold medallist had a range of encounters, both good and bad.

"We have a very strong family history of breast cancer, so I was part of a high-risk screening programme which meant that I had annual MRIs," she says. "I'm a wheelchair user, and my MRIs were always at the same place and in a mobile unit which always had a lift, so I never had any problems with access. It was brilliant. I cannot fault it."