October is breast cancer awareness month. Many wear pink and stores advertise pink merchandise. But, the truth behind the pink is more alarming than any shirt. Women with cerebral palsy have a greater risk of dying from breast cancer than the general population.
Breast cancer is the leading cancer with many cases a year. And, women with cerebral palsy have a three times greater chance of not surviving breast cancer compared to others. They are less likely to receive a mammogram due to difficulties.
Discovering I had breast cancer
Having a Biopsy With Cerebral Palsy Not A Fun Experience
My First Oncology Appointment Filled With Emotion
Getting A Lumpectomy With Cerebral Palsy
Lumpectomy Led To More Discovery Of DCIS Breast Cancer
Why is it that women with cerebral palsy have such terrifying statistics with breast cancer? Unfortunately, there are a combination of reasons. Cerebral palsy
affects each person different. From having one limb affected to the entire body being consumed with movement, cerebral palsy lacks consistency. Educating medical staff about how to assist someone with cerebral palsy during a mammogram has been inconsistent.
When technicians and doctors treat patients with disrespect, returning isn’t likely. Some women decide that it’s not worth the effort to fight. Women call ahead to let the mammogram technicians know what type of assistance they need, and when they arrive, no one is ready to help them. Changing rooms are physically too small to maneuver a wheelchair and if needed, a personal care attendant.
Accessibility to the office is often the biggest obstacle. Public transportation isn’t reliable or nonexistent. Some facilities have steps to get inside – even one step is one too many. The doorways are too narrow to get a wheelchair inside the room. There aren’t any power doors to open doors to the office. All of these components are just a few reasons why women who have cerebral palsy avoid mammograms.
I’ve had many poor mammogram appointments. Technicians greeted me as a major inconvenience to their day. They talked to me childlike or just ignored me altogether. Since I have trouble getting my body completely still, a mammogram takes longer. Technicians sometimes are impatient and rude as I try my best to sit still. Dressing rooms are challenging as I needed help in a tiny room – obviously wheelchair friendly.
However, despite my poor experience getting a mammogram, I’m glad that I never gave up. In January 2016, an oncologist diagnosed me with breast cancer. As difficult as it is having cerebral palsy, I never imagined that I could also have cancer. But, cancer doesn’t discriminate no matter who you are, age, occupation, or what disabilities you have. This is why getting mammograms and fighting for what you need are imperative.
Now is the time to change the statistics and begin to make healthy choices. Women who have cerebral palsy need to request mammograms on a more regular basis. Mammogram machine upgrades for accessibility won’t happen unless the need exists. Medical staff need education on how to really help women who have cerebral palsy receive a mammogram. Women need dignity and respect as any other woman, and then figure out the unique needs.
Originally published on cerebral palsy news today by Jessica Grono
Check out this awesome shirt to support breast cancer awareness.
