Cancer Disparities Experienced by People with Disabilities

Abstract

People with disabilities, who represent a rapidly growing and seriously disadvantaged segment of the U.S. population, face unremitting barriers to equal and accessible healthcare and a high prevalence of chronic health conditions. A slowly growing body of research suggests multiple cancer-related disparities between people with and without disabilities. This commentary identifies multiple aspects of the cancer experience and highlights ways cancer is impacted by disability. This includes vulnerabilities to risk factors, barriers to accessing healthcare, and disparities in screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The authors offer six essential pathways for reducing cancer disparities faced by people with disabilities. It is clear that reducing cancer health disparities experienced by people with disabilities will require the commitment and cooperation of a wide range of stakeholders.

Evolution of community outreach and engagement at National Cancer Institute‐Designated Cancer Centers, an evolving journey

“…data are yet to be collected nationally, including sexual and gender minorities (SGMs), veterans, and people with disabilities (PwDs). [134][135][136][137][138][139][140][141][142][143] The SGM community represents 7.2% of the US population and faces disparities in cancer care, with limited data available on their experiences and health outcomes. 134,135 The absence of SOGI data in major clinical databases limits research and inclusive care recommendations.…”

“…142 There is little published information on understanding and reducing PwD disparities. 142 Treatment decisions are restrained by insufficient scientific evidence because clinical trials typically exclude them, and health care service data provide limited information about their specific needs. 143 It would be valuable for all NCI-DCCs to implement a comprehensive SOGI inclusivity program by building a supportive environment for SGM employees, involving community advisers, systematically collecting SOGI data, and providing cultural humility training to staff to foster inclusivity.…”

“…Until recently, NCI‐DCCs have not matched their scientific focus with an intense focus on the inclusion of historically marginalized patients in research trials, access to treatment advances, and development of innovative care‐delivery interventions to improve access in marginalized communities 133 . The newer emphasis on COE must be expanded to embrace the unaddressed communities whose data are yet to be collected nationally, including sexual and gender minorities (SGMs), veterans, and people with disabilities (PwDs) 134–143 . The SGM community represents 7.2% of the US population and faces disparities in cancer care, with limited data available on their experiences and health outcomes 134,135 .…”

“…These include the Veterans' Cancer Act of 2023, which would require Veterans Health Administration facilities to share cancer data with the state cancer registries, and the historic partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the NCI to share cancer registry information 140,141 . PwDs, a marginalized and rapidly growing population, experience cancer health disparities because of inadequate training of medical professionals, inaccessible facilities, and limited health care policies 142 . There is little published information on understanding and reducing PwD disparities 142 .…”

Accessibility in People with Disabilities in Primary Healthcare Centers: A Dimension of the Quality of Care

“…The way in which health personnel handle information with users can become a facilitator or a barrier to accessibility. Aspects such as training healthcare personnel and maintaining a good relationship and attitude with patients have been described as facilitators of communication [68]. In this sense, the study by De Oliveira et al [7], in Brazil, states that people with sensory disabilities are not considered in the planning of services, limiting their access to health and life in society.…”