Cervical and breast cancer screening in wheelchair dependent females

The aim of this study was to compare the attendance rates for cervical and breast cancer screening in wheelchair dependent spinal cord injured (SCI) women with those in the general female population in England. The study was conducted as a postal questionnaire survey with an effective response rate of 79%. The attendance rates of the eligible SCI groups were 84% for cervical screening and 72% for mammography, both figures being well within the national average attendance rates in the general female population. Difficulties with cervical screening were reported in 58% and with mammography in 43% of the cases, including restricted access to clinics, examining rooms and examining couches and positioning during the procedure. These were also the main reasons given for non attendance. The article points out ways to enable even more wheelchair dependent women to benefit from the preventative screening programmes.