Abstract
Cancer is a major health concern for the population worldwide. It is estimated that one in four people in the non-disabled population will develop cancer and that more than half of those diagnosed will die. People with intellectual disabilities can also develop cancer, with some cancers being more common, such as gastrointestinal (that is, stomach and gallbladder) and oesophageal cancers. Recent research indicates that people with intellectual disabilities may have different risk factors for developing specific cancers. Consequently health promotion and health education, health screening and diagnosis procedures, and treatments often have to be modified to suit this population. Within this chapter we examine health promotion for gastrointestinal and oesophageal, breast and cervical, and testicular and prostate cancers. There is growing concern that cancer in people with intellectual disabilities is going unrecognized; they are missing out on early screening, which can help to avoid premature deaths. This chapter identifies the risk factors for cancer, and examines the health education, health promotion initiatives and health screening opportunities that can be used to prevent people with intellectual disabilities from developing cancer.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Health Promotion for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
Place of Publication | Maindenhead, England |
Publisher | Open University |
Pages | 100-107 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780335246946 |
Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - Jan 2014 |