Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Experiences and Barriers Among Visually Impaired Women: A Mixed Method Study

Abstract

This study aims to identify the experiences of visually impaired women regarding breast and cervical cancer screening and the barriers they encounter. A mixed-method approach was employed using surveys and semi-structured interviews. The survey questionnaire investigated the participation and knowledge of visually impaired women in breast and cervical cancer screenings, while the interviews supported the survey results and provided insights into women’s experiences and barriers related to breast and cervical cancer screening. The quantitative part of the research was completed with 210 visually impaired women, while the qualitative part was completed with 15 participants. It was determined that 13.3% of the participants undergo breast self-examination (BSE) monthly, 4.7% undergo clinical breast examination (CBE) annually, and 33.3% of women aged 40 and above regularly undergo mammography. Additionally, 18.1% of the participants reported having regular gynecological examinations, and 31.3% reported having regular pap smears. The interview data revealed three main themes: personal factors, environmental factors, and barriers and facilitators. Participants face difficulties such as lack of knowledge about accessing healthcare facilities, screening, and preventive measures, limited mobility, economic challenges, negative attitudes of healthcare personnel, and inadequate environmental adjustments for disabled individuals. The study has revealed that visually impaired women in Turkey may not have sufficient participation in breast and cervical cancer screenings.