Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

Universal Screening for Prevention of Reading, Writing, and Math Disabilities in Spanish
Published on: July 18, 2020
Cervical and breast cancer-screening knowledge of women with developmental disabilities
Susan L Parish1, Jamie G Swaine, Karen Luken
1Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA. slp@brandeis.edu
Women with developmental disabilities are significantly less likely than women without disabilities to receive cervical and breast cancer screening according to clinical guidelines. The reasons for this gap are not understood. The present study examined the extent of women's knowledge about cervical and breast cancer screening, with the intention of informing the development and testing of interventions to increase cervical and breast cancer screening rates for these women. In a sample of 202 community-dwelling women with developmental disabilities, most women had little knowledge of cervical and breast cancer screening. Women who were living at home with family caregivers had the most limited understanding of cervical and breast cancer screening. Policy and practice implications are discussed.
Women with developmental disabilities are significantly less likely than women without disabilities to receive cervical and breast cancer screening according to clinical guidelines. The reasons for this gap are not understood. The present study examined the extent of women's knowledge about cervical and breast cancer screening, with the intention of informing the development and testing of interventions to increase cervical and breast cancer screening rates for these women. In a sample of 202 community-dwelling women with developmental disabilities, most women had little knowledge of cervical and breast cancer screening. Women who were living at home with family caregivers had the most limited understanding of cervical and breast cancer screening. Policy and practice implications are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Preventive Healthcare Services
Intellectual Disability
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...