According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women with disabilities are less likely to undergo breast cancer screening due to the inaccessibility of radiology and mammography equipment. Women using wheelchairs and other mobility equipment may be unable to position themselves close enough to screening equipment as needed to get a clear exam.
Despite these challenges, Independence Now urges women with disabilities to make every effort to follow the CDC’s recommended guidelines for breast cancer screening:
If you’re between the ages of 50-74 years, be sure to have a screening mammogram every two years.
If you’re between the ages of 40-49 years, talk to your doctor about when and how often you should have a screening mammogram.
The CDC provides recommended questions that women with disabilities can ask when scheduling a breast cancer screening. This information can help you prepare for your appointment: https://www.cdc.gov/…/disa…/breast-cancer-screening.html
The best way to get started if you want to be screened for breast cancer is to call your doctor’s office. Most health insurance plans cover mammograms with no out-of-pocket cost. If you’re worried about the cost, various programs offer free or low-cost mammograms. You can find out if you qualify below:
Montgomery County: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/breast-cancer-screening.html
Prince George’s County: https://www.dchweb.org/about-us/free-digital-screening-mammograms
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so there’s no better time than now to schedule your screening!
