New campaign highlights importance of cervical screening for people with disability

28 October 2024

A recently released campaign, Screen Me! is a new initiative encouraging women and people with a cervix who have a disability to participate in regular cervical screening.

This joint project by the Daffodil Centre and the Centre for Disability Studies aims to address and overcome the unique barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing preventive healthcare. Australia is making strides toward eliminating cervical cancer, but to achieve this goal equitably, it is crucial that no one is left behind.

People with disabilities are less likely to receive routine cervical screening than the general population. This disparity arises from multiple factors, such as limited awareness of the importance of cervical screening among the general population, including people with disabilities. Additional barriers related to accessibility and misconceptions in healthcare further compound this issue. Screen Me! seeks to address these barriers directly, raising awareness among healthcare professionals and encouraging a more inclusive approach.

Barriers to Cervical Screening for people with disabilities:

  • Poor physical accessibility in clinical spaces, and lack of time to discuss accessibility needs and concerns with health practitioners.
  • Hesitation in discussing or disclosing sexual activity to health practitioners.
  • Incorrect assumptions about the sexual activity of people with disability.

Women and people with a cervix who have disabilities live rich and full lives, including being in and enjoying sexual relationships. Sadly, they’re also more likely to be impacted by sexual assault, making it even more essential to provide accessible preventive healthcare. Screen Me! is a reminder that people with a disability have the same right to preventative healthcare as anyone else.

To support healthcare practitioners, a recent webinar titled “Optimising Cervical Screening for People with Disability” was delivered in collaboration with the RACGP. This session provided practical insights into enhancing screening accessibility and delivering sensitive, inclusive care.

For more details about the Screen Me! campaign and to access social media resources, visit the Screen Me! webpage or download the Screen Me! stakeholder toolkit for health organisations.

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