HEALTHY LIVING
Women with Disabilities and Healthcare Access by Emily Perkins , PhD
Women with disabilities are dying from cancer . The reason might be a surprise . They are not following the guidelines for getting regular mammograms and gynecological screenings . These screenings are vital for spotting breast and cervical cancers early enough to give women the best chance to get the treatment they need to prevent them from getting sick and dying from cancer .
There are many reasons why women with disabilities are less likely than women without disabilities to get regular screenings . They may not know that screenings are important to spot cancer early . Some women think that they can ’ t get cancer on top of their disability , but they can . They may put off or ignore screenings because they think other health issues are more important . Public transportation can be expensive and unreliable , especially for people who live in rural areas . Some women have to rely on others to drive them and may have difficulty finding a driver . Even though healthcare facilities are required by law to be accessible , there may be no ramps or elevators . Exam rooms may be too small for wheelchairs . Many mammograms can be lowered in height , but some can ’ t . Even if women call ahead to ask for accommodations , such as extra technicians for positioning purposes , they often arrive to find that accommodations haven ’ t been provided .
However , women with disabilities often don ’ t get properly screened because they can ’ t get into the necessary positions at machines or on examination tables . My story is a good example .
A few years ago , my gynecologist was worried about a lump in my breast and scheduled a mammogram at a small local hospital . When I rolled my wheelchair up to the machine , I found that I couldn ’ t access it because I have poor trunk control . They took the face guard off of the machine because my head kept hitting it , but it still didn ’ t work . The technician asked a couple of employees to help position my arms and head , and my body was pushed , pulled , and twisted into painful shapes . Out of frustration , the technician took the x-ray even though I had barely accessed the machine . The results were inconclusive .
Six months later my doctor was still worried because the lump was still there . I became determined to find a clinic that could provide what I needed . At every facility I tried , I found the same problems . Eventually , clinics began telling me not to come back to try for a mammogram since I couldn ’ t get an accurate x-ray .
The worst part of it all was the attitudes of the people from whom I sought advice . Healthcare professionals and other women kept telling me that I wasn ’ t being vocal enough . They said that I wasn ’ t asking the right questions and wasn ’ t attending the right facilities . I felt like it was my fault . Not only was I scared for my health , but I felt completely alone .
Sadly , my story is not uncommon . In fact , women with disabilities report that negative attitudes of mammogram technicians are a major reason they don ’ t go for mammograms .
Women report similar problems in getting Pap tests . Exam rooms and tables may not be fully accessible , and staff members may have
Participate in UAB Research
Pregnancy , Labor , Delivery and Postpartum Outcomes of women with and without a SCI This study aims to compare pregnancy , labor , delivery and postpartum outcomes of women with and without a spinal cord injury to better understand potential difficulties women with SCI experience as well as their educational and emotional support needs .
Seeking caucasian women without SCI who are between the ages of 19 and 41 who are pregnant or have given birth in the last 3 years and agree to have their pregnancy-related medical chart reviewed .
Participants will receive a $ 20 gift card after pregnancyrelated medical chart is received . Go to website , call 205- 934-5463 or email SCIresearch @ uab . edu for information .
24 START This 24 week project aims to determine if a low carb or a low fat diet is better for helping adults with a spinal cord injury stick to their diet , improve their body composition , and lower their cardiometabolic risk factors ( such as diabetes , heart disease , or stroke ).
Criteria to Participate
• Have a SCI
• Be between 21 and 60 years old
• Has internet access and smartphone
• Has a BMI between 25 and 55
• Is willing to try a new diet
Participants will earn up to $ 100 . Go to website , call 205- 403-5510 or email SCIresearch @ uab . edu for information .
2 uab . edu / sci