American Association on Health and Disability Urges Women with Disabilities to Schedule Their Clinical Breast Exam and Mammogram During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Rockville, MD (PRWEB) October 12, 2013 -- American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) calls on Women with Disabilities to Schedule Clinical Breast Exam and Mammogram during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) in Rockville, MD is urging women with disabilities to ask themselves when is the last time they were screened for breast cancer. Breast cancer is a major public health concern for all women, including women with disabilities. Women with disabilities are as likely to get breast cancer as women in the general population and often face accessibility challenges related to physical, cultural and attitudinal barriers when seeking breast health care.
During October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, AAHD is urging women with disabilities to ask themselves ONE question: When did I have my last clinical breast exam performed by a healthcare provider and when did I have my last mammogram? Roberta Carlin, AAHD Executive Director states, “If the answer is I do not remember, it was probably to long ago and you are likely overdue for screening. There is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, so it is important for women with disabilities to be their own advocate and be an active participant in their healthcare and get regular screenings”. Early detection saves lives and will work towards reducing health disparities between women with disabilities and the general population when it comes to breast cancer.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, AAHD is offering at no cost, on-line access to the “Tips for Women with Disabilities in Understanding Breast Cancer”, which can be found at http://www.aahd.us/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/TipSheets-sample.pdf and encourages women to share this product with their family, friends and health care providers.
For the last 5 years, AAHD has partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to educate women with disabilities and health care providers on the importance of breast health screening and awareness. Currently, AAHD and Susan G. Komen Foundation are partnering on Project Accessibility USA. The aim of Project Accessibility USA is to support Susan G. Komen Affiliate screening grantees throughout the country so they may provide quality breast health services to women with disabilities by increasing staff awareness about mammography facility accessibility. As part of this project, AAHD is providing on –site visits to Susan G. Komen screening grantees, developing on-line training modules for staff and creating a Breast Health Resource Center for Women with Disabilities.
To learn more about AAHD and Susan G. Komen partnerships, please visit http://www.aahd.us/initiatives/susan-g-komen-grants/
Contact: Roberta Carlin, MS, JD
AAHD Executive Director
301-545-6140 ext. 206
rcarlin(at)aahd(dot)us
AAHD is a national non- profit organization dedicated to advancing health promotion and wellness initiatives for people with disabilities. Visit AAHD at http://www.aahd.us to learn more about AAHD initiatives.
Roberta Carlin, American Assn on Health and Disability, http://www.aahd.us, 301-545-6140 206, [email protected]
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