Search

Objective: Following a review of the existing body of literature, this study aimed to explore the need for a breast cancer awareness intervention specifically targeted at women with mild/moderate levels of intellectual disability (ID) and provide perspectives on the preferred processes and content underpinning an intervention., Methods: A qualitative, descriptive design using semi-structured, individual (n = 5) and focus group (n = 5) interviews were used to engage with a non-probability, purposive sample of key stakeholders (n = 25) including women with mild/moderate levels of ID, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis., Results: Findings highlighted that an educational intervention should focus on breast awareness as opposed to breast cancer awareness. Additionally, findings identified that a combined breast awareness and healthy living intervention could be effective. However, the intervention needs to have a multimodal, hands-on, person-centred approach to learning which is underpinned by theory. Furthermore, integrating the caregivers and healthcare professionals into the intervention is recommended., Conclusion: Findings from this study provide a foundation for developing and implementing a theoretically underpinned, multimodal, breast awareness and healthy living educational intervention for women with mild/moderate levels of ID., (© 2022 The Authors. European Journal of Cancer Care published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Women with an intellectual disability (ID) have a similar risk of developing breast cancer as women in the general population yet present with later stage breast cancers, which have poorer outcomes., Aim: To identify whether there is a need to develop a breast cancer awareness intervention for women with an ID., Methods: Interventions aimed at increasing cancer awareness and breast cancer awareness for people with an ID were identified and critically appraised., Results: Five interventions to increase cancer awareness or breast cancer awareness in people with an ID were identified., Conclusion: The review highlighted the paucity of theoretically underpinned breast cancer awareness interventions specifically aimed at women with an ID. Facilitating breast cancer awareness for women with an ID could potentially lead to earlier presentation of potential symptoms of breast cancer, earlier treatment, better prognosis and ultimately, improved survival. This article establishes that there is a need for an intervention underpinned by theory to increase breast cancer awareness in women with an ID.