As 70% of Australian women who develop cervical cancer are under screened or have never been screened, people with disabilities (PWD) are at an increased risk of developing cervical cancer and are therefore a priority population for prevention initiatives. Having regular screening tests is the best way to protect against cervical cancer.
SECCA has created a booklet and brochure about the Cervical Screening Test.
Download Your Guide to Cervical Screening Book here.
Barriers for people with disability from accessing cervical screening may include:
- clinic accessibility
- physical limitations such as a lack of suitable cervical screening equipment (i.e. adjustable beds and hoists)
- assumptions held by some medical providers or carers that cervical screening is not a priority for people with a disability, perceiving them incorrectly as not sexually active.
- past medical or sexual trauma
- ambivalence towards the test
- availability of accessible, Easy English information, and resources in other formats (e.g., audio and video)
- physical, sensory and communication barriers
- bad experiences with healthcare providers in the past