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A decade on: what have we learnt about supporting women with intellectual disabilities through the menopause?
- Author:
- WILLIS Diane S.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 12(1), March 2008, pp.9-23.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Carr and Hollins highlighted the paucity of research on the menopause in women with intellectual disabilities and, 10 years on, this area still remains poorly researched. Work exploring the age of onset of the menopause has suggested that the menopause is earlier in this group of women, but studies exploring what women with intellectual disabilities understand and experience during the menopause are limited. In this Scottish study 15 women with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities were interviewed using a semi-structured interview on a one-to-one basis about their knowledge and understanding of the menopause. Findings revealed limited accessible information about the menopause and a paucity in the women's knowledge and understanding about the menopause. This suggests a need for more accessible information, in order to increase understanding and awareness of the menopause in these women.
Breast cancer screening in women with learning disabilities: current knowledge and considerations
- Authors:
- WILLIS Diane S., KENNEDY Catriona M., KILBRIDE Lynn
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 36(3), September 2008, pp.171-184.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
As people with learning disabilities now live longer, they will experience the same age-related illnesses as the general population and cancer is a prime example of this. In women, cancer screening is used to detect early on-set of cancer of the breast and abnormalities of the cervix which might, if left untreated, develop into cancer. The literature on cancer screening in women with learning disabilities consistently reports that cancer screening up-take is lower in this population compared to women in the general population. This paper presents a review of 35 articles relating to breast cancer, breast cancer screening and breast awareness in women with learning disabilities. Relevant papers and book chapters were located by searching a number of databases and undertaking hand searches, and includes publications from 1997 to 2007. The studies located ranged from localised health initiatives to improve breast awareness and breast screening up-take, to population studies. Although more is being published on cancer in people with learning disabilities there is still a paucity of literature on breast screening amongst women with learning disabilities. This review therefore, up-dates current knowledge on breast cancer incidence and breast awareness whilst critically reviewing studies specifically focusing on breast screening in women with learning disabilities.