Who is left behind in cervical screening?

In August 2019, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust reported that women living with physical disabilities are facing more difficulties when accessing their cervical smear tests, and some women reported having been denied them entirely.

Cervical cancer takes two lives every day and impacts nine women every day who receive a diagnosis. At a time when screening rates are at their lowest in 19 years in England, and at a 10-year low in Scotland and Wales, it is vital that women eligible for smear tests are provided with them when they receive their invitations (Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, 2019a). However, for women with physical disabilities, Jo's Trust found that 63% of the 335 women in their research were unable to attend their screening as a result of their disability and their practice's inability to provide for their specific needs.

Under the Equality Act 2010, the NHS is obliged to deliver adjustments for patients with physical and learning disabilities, providing equal access to care. Alongside this, health professionals must continue to battle the associated stigmas regarding sex and disability in order to make patients feel as confident and comfortable as possible when accessing services. A lack of awareness around these issues is not only outdated, but it is putting patients at risk.