Every July, Disability Pride Month celebrates the history, achievements, and contributions of people with disabilities and marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—landmark civil rights legislation signed into law on July 26, 1990 that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and helps ensure equal access to employment, transportation, public services, and everyday life.
For many, “Disability Pride” isn’t about celebrating disability itself. It reflects the belief that disability is a natural part of human diversity and that people with disabilities deserve dignity, respect, accessibility, and the opportunity to participate fully in their communities. Experiences with disability vary widely, and access to quality healthcare—including breast cancer screening—is an important part of that conversation.
It may seem like everyone has the same ability to schedule a mammogram. But that’s not always true.
For many people with disabilities, accessing routine preventive care can require additional planning, advocacy, and support. Breast cancer screening is no exception.
Millions of women and other people assigned female at birth living with disabilities face barriers that can make routine breast cancer screening more difficult—inaccessible facilities or equipment, transportation challenges, communication barriers, sensory needs, or healthcare providers who may not fully understand or anticipate a patient’s accessibility needs. These obstacles can delay screening and, ultimately, delay the early detection that saves lives.
Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate, and screening shouldn’t either
Having a disability does not lower your risk of breast cancer. People with disabilities are just as likely to develop breast cancer as those without—yet studies consistently show they are less likely to receive recommended screening. According to the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey, about 75% of women without disabilities received a mammogram in the past two years, compared to only 61% of women with disabilities. [1]
When someone is disabled, sometimes providers focus on the disability rather than the whole person and don’t recommend cancer screenings. But sometimes a person’s disability means that some cancer screenings may not be appropriate. If you are disabled and your doctor hasn’t mentioned cancer screenings to you, please ask them what they recommend so that you can take care of your whole health.
Early detection remains one of our best tools for improving outcomes. When breast cancer is found early, treatment is often more effective and less extensive. That’s why removing barriers to screening matters.
Accessibility looks different for everyone
Not all disabilities are visible. While some people use wheelchairs or other mobility devices, others may have hearing or vision impairments, chronic illnesses, neurological conditions, sensory processing differences, mental health conditions, or other disabilities that affect how they experience medical appointments. Every person’s accessibility needs are unique, and all deserve to be respected.
Requesting accommodations for your appointment
If you have sensory sensitivities, autism, hearing or vision loss, chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, difficulty standing for 10 minutes at a time, or another condition that could affect your mammogram experience, let the imaging center know when you schedule. Discussing your needs in advance gives staff the chance to prepare and helps make your visit more comfortable.
Depending on your needs, you may want to ask the facility to:
- Explain each step of the exam before it happens.
- Allow a support person or caregiver to accompany you.
- Schedule extra time for your appointment.
- Provide written instructions or alternative communication methods.
- Accommodate your hearing, vision, mobility, or sensory needs.
Questions to ask about the facility itself
Planning ahead also gives you the chance to ask practical questions about the building and equipment:
- Is the building fully accessible, including parking, entrances, elevators, and restrooms?
- Can the exam room accommodate my wheelchair or mobility device?
- Can I remain seated in my wheelchair during the exam if needed?
- Is the mammography equipment adjustable for different heights and mobility needs?
- Will staff be available to assist with transferring, positioning, or dressing if necessary?
Every facility is different, but it’s always appropriate to ask what accommodations are available. For more questions and a sample script for calling an imaging center, visit our Women with Disabilities and Access to Breast Cancer Screening resource page.
These conversations help ensure your appointment is focused on your health—not on navigating unexpected barriers.
It’s okay to advocate for yourself
Speaking up about your needs is an important part of receiving quality healthcare. Most healthcare providers want to provide the best care possible, and letting them know your needs in advance gives them the opportunity to prepare. You know your body and your needs better than anyone else—clear communication helps your healthcare team provide the safest, most comfortable experience possible.
Resources are available
If you’re looking for additional support, several organizations offer help navigating the healthcare system:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers breast cancer screening information for women with disabilities, including tips for preparing for appointments, communicating accommodation needs, and advocating for accessible care.
- Here in Virginia, Community & Health Advocacy Training (CHAT) at Virginia Commonwealth University helps people with disabilities build confidence in communicating with healthcare providers, preparing for medical appointments, and advocating for their healthcare needs.
Creating truly accessible healthcare isn’t just the responsibility of patients—healthcare providers, facilities, policymakers, and communities all have a role to play in ensuring everyone can access timely, high-quality breast health care.
We’re here to help
At the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, we believe everyone deserves equitable access to breast health care. If you have questions about available resources or need help navigating the process, our Resource Coordinator is here to help. Call Nikki Jennings at 800-345-VBCF (8223) or email help@vbcf.org. We can connect you with information, community resources, and support to make your breast health journey a little easier.
This Disability Pride Month, let’s celebrate inclusion by continuing to remove barriers to breast health care. Accessibility isn’t an extra—it’s an essential part of quality care. Every person should be able to access breast cancer screening without unnecessary barriers and receive the care they need.
