I hope there is nothing sinister here. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that statistically women with disabilities right here in Florida and the rest of the country are less likely to be screened for breast cancer.
The statistical different in Florida is 7%. Nation wide there is a 5% difference.
The CDC does not venture an opinion as to why this happens. They suggest it may be a lack of access to medical care by women with disabilities.
However, most of the disabled have medicaid or a combination of medicare and medicaid.
We need to educate and inform women with disabilities that proper screening is needed. Although 5% does not sound like a large disparity, it is significant enough for the CDC to be concerned and take note.
If you know a women over the age of 40 with a disability (or even one with out a disability) let them know that screening for breast cancer is important.
Here is a link to the CDC Report.
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