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Paid- and family-carers' views on supporting women with intellectual disability through breast screening: Carers views on breast screening

Willis, D.S.; Kilbride, L.; Horsburgh, D.; Kennedy, C.M.

Authors

L. Kilbride

D. Horsburgh

C.M. Kennedy



Abstract

The cancer needs of people with intellectual disabilities are increasingly being debated. This paper explores the views and experiences of paid- and family-carers when supporting women with intellectual disabilities through breast screening. An ethnographic approach was drawn on and purposive sampling methods were employed. One-to-one semi-structured interviews with 13 carers (10 paid-carers, three family-carers) were undertaken and supported by periods of focused observation on behaviour related to breast awareness and breast screening. Findings indicated that most women with intellectual disabilities needed some support but the quality and quantity of support depended upon both the woman’s level of intellectual disability and who was supporting them. In terms of breast screening, the findings suggested that the women were potentially being let down at all the different stages of the breast screening process, from the arrival of the invitation letter to the experience of having a mammogram. The conclusion drawn was that there was evidence of equality of service provision but inequality of service delivery and uptake.

Citation

Willis, D., Kilbride, L., Horsburgh, D., & Kennedy, C. (2015). Paid- and family-carers' views on supporting women with intellectual disability through breast screening: Carers views on breast screening. European Journal of Cancer Care, 24(4), 473-482. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.12245

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 13, 2014
Online Publication Date Oct 7, 2014
Publication Date 2015-07
Deposit Date Dec 9, 2015
Print ISSN 0961-5423
Electronic ISSN 1365-2354
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 24
Issue 4
Pages 473-482
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.12245
Keywords Intellectual disability; paid-carers; family-carers; breast screening; focused ethnography; support;
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/9374
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ecc.12245