January is Cervical Health Awareness Month
Women with Disabilities Less Likely to Get
Life-Saving Screening

Belleville, Ill—Dec. 30, 2009— Resolutions abound in the New Year, and having recommended health screenings should be a priority. January is Cervical Health Awareness Month and a prime time to highlight the importance of routine Pap tests. Raising awareness among women with disabilities is especially important because, as a group, they are less likely to get the life-saving test, according to Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare services.

In the United States, 11,000 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2010 from human papillomavirus (HPV)-caused tumors. HPVs are sexually transmitted via skin-to-skin contact. Recent research indicates the virus also causes some cases of cancers of the mouth, anus, head and neck in men and women, according to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC).

Cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent with regular screening tests and follow-up. The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if not treated appropriately. The HPV test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes.

“It’s important to remember that cervical cancer is a preventable disease—as long as it’s caught early enough,” said NCCC executive director Sarina Araujo.

In fact, when cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life. Unfortunately, six out of 10 cervical cancers occur in women who have never received a Pap test or have not been tested in the past five years.

This problem is especially pronounced among women with disabilities. Research shows that women with disabilities are less likely to get Pap tests than women without disabilities.

“There is a wide range of reasons for this disparity,” said Allsup manager Tai Venuti, MPH. “The disability may make the exam itself more difficult, as in the case of spinal cord injuries or disorders, or special equipment may be needed. Another barrier could be as simple as not having adequate transportation to the doctor.”

In addition, healthcare facilities may be inaccessible and ill-equipped to serve people with disabilities, so preventive services like Pap smears are overlooked. ^[1]

Women diagnosed with cervical cancer and unable to work may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The Social Security Administration uses a five-step process to determine if a cancer patient qualifies for SSDI benefits.

1. Determine if an individual is “working (engaging in substantial gainful activity)” according to the SSA definition.
2. Conclude the cancer disability must be severe enough to significantly limit one’s ability to perform basic work activities needed to do most jobs.
3. Ask if the cancer disability meets or equals a medical listing.
4. Explore the ability of an individual to perform work they have done in the past despite their cancer. If the person cannot, then the process proceeds to the fifth and final step.
5. Review age, education, work experience and physical/mental condition to determine what other work, if any, the person can perform.