Journal: Clinical obstetrics and gynecology
This review highlights how people with physical, intellectual, and sensory disabilities experience substantial inequities in preventive gynecologic care. Systemic barriers (inaccessible facilities/equipment, transportation issues), inadequate clinician training, and implicit/explicit bias contribute to lower rates of HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and breast cancer screening. Consequently, patients with disabilities are more likely to present with advanced-stage disease and have higher cancer-related mortality.
The article emphasizes the central role of gynecologic clinicians in reducing these disparities through:
- Autonomy-centered, respectful communication that supports informed decision-making.
- Proactive provision of reasonable accommodations (e.g., accessible exam tables, communication aids).
- Consistent application of evidence-based screening guidelines rather than making assumptions based on disability status.
The authors call for improvements in medical education, clinical environments, and health system processes to ensure equitable access to cancer prevention and early detection services for patients with disabilities.