The Life-Threatening Gap in Cancer Screening for Disabled Women

Access to routine cancer screenings can mean the difference between life and death. Yet, for many disabled women—particularly wheelchair users—these essential screenings remain out of reach due to a lack of accessible medical facilities and equipment. The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) has launched a petition urging the UK government to increase funding and ensure that every woman, regardless of disability, can access breast and cervical cancer screenings without unnecessary barriers, exclusion, or humiliation.

A Systemic Failure in Healthcare

Routine screenings for breast and cervical cancer are vital tools in early detection and treatment. However, many medical facilities in the UK are ill-equipped to accommodate disabled women. A 2021 study found that 63% of disabled women faced difficulties accessing routine screenings, and another study revealed that almost two-thirds of women with physical disabilities had been unable to attend smear tests.

Under the Equality Act 2010, healthcare providers have a legal duty to ensure equal access to services, yet the reality for many disabled women is starkly different. Some are turned away due to a lack of hoists or adjustable examination tables, while others are subjected to undignified or painful experiences that discourage them from seeking future screenings. These failures put disabled women at a significantly higher risk of late-stage cancer diagnoses, which drastically reduces survival rates.

The Call for Urgent Change

The SIA’s petition demands that the government provide increased funding to equip all screening facilities with accessible equipment, ensuring that no woman is denied life-saving care because of her disability. This includes adjustable examination couches, hoists, and trained staff who understand the needs of disabled patients.

Without immediate action, disabled women will continue to face preventable health inequalities. The government must recognise that access to healthcare is not a privilege—it is a fundamental right.

Sign the Petition

If you believe that all women deserve equal access to life-saving screenings, add your voice to the call for change. Sign the petition today and help ensure that no woman is left behind in the fight against cancer.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/702277

By supporting this petition, we can push for real, lasting improvements in healthcare accessibility and protect the lives of thousands of disabled women across the UK.