Population-based cancer screening access needs of disabled people: A qualitative evidence synthesis

Abstract

Background: Cancer is one of the most common causes of mortality among disabled people, and population-based screening is an effective method to identify some cancers early; however, its uptake is lower among the disabled population. There is a lack of evidence regarding why they access less, and their need to access population-based screening programmes.

Aim: To synthesise evidence of the experience of accessing population-based screening programmes for disabled people.

Method: A qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) was carried out by searching electronic databases including Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus. Grey literature was also searched for. The search yielded 32 relevant publications.

Results: The findings are based on Levesque's conceptual framework. Several factors affect the accessibility of screening services, including people's perceptions, family support, affordability, literacy, and accessibility.

Conclusion: Screening services need to acknowledge the needs of disabled people and integrate reasonable accommodations to facilitate their needs.

Keywords: cancer; disabilities; disabled people; intellectual disabilities; population-based screening; qualitative evidence synthesis.