Diane Willis, a PhD student from Abertay University's School of Social and Health Sciences, today (Friday 20th July) presented the findings of her research at a national Breast Cancer Care event in Glasgow.
Her PhD looked at what influenced women with learning disabilities to attend breast screening.
This coincides with work that Breast Cancer Care has been doing to help women with learning disabilities access breast screening.
Diane said: "The findings of the research were that there was evidence of equality of service provision but inequality of service delivery and up-take. The women’s experience of breast screening was negative, and this also dissuaded them from returning.
"What influenced the women to attend breast screening was inextricably linked to their level of learning difficulty, the residential setting the women lived in, who supported them, and their philosophy about the responsibility for health in this client group."
Today’s half-day event was for health promotion workers. Breast Cancer Care provides information, emotional and practical support for people affected by breast cancer.
The charity also campaigns for improvements in standards of support and care, as well as promoting the importance of early detection.
Diane’s PhD is titled 'An ethnographic exploration of the influences around participation in breast screening for women with learning disabilities'.
More information about the charity is available at the Breast Cancer Care website.
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