Autonomy, Disability, and Cervical Cancer Screenings

Abstract: In defining humanity, disability has problematically been defined as a lack of something, or something worthy of correction. We argue that this deficit model view of disability impacts the quality of life for disabled persons in preventative screening for cervical cancer. In a preliminary analysis using BRFSS data, a negative association was identified between certain ranges of disability and access to cervical cancer screenings. Even though our findings identify this trend, the association of cervical cancer screening fluctuates based on different data collection methods and study size which may identify another issue of measurement and disability.

In addition to these empirical findings, we argue that there are ethical barriers. Understood against the background of current gender and racial bias in health care, ableism as a form of bias limits preventative services to meet guideline-concordance. As such, the autonomy and respect of disabled persons are unfairly restricted. Autonomy is restricted in three ways. First, disabled bodies are not always treated as sexual bodies, and as such, may not be considered for preventative screening as it relates to reproductive health. Second, clinician unwillingness or incapacity to provide preventative screening relates to health care spaces being unwelcoming to disabled bodies, movements, or behaviors. Third, attitudinal barriers concerning the quality of life of disabled persons prevent recommendation or completion of screenings related to reproductive health. These three barriers undermine the autonomy of disabled persons and should thus be corrected at the individual, institutional, and policy level using a social justice lens.

Joseph Gibbons – Professor, Sociology, San Diego State University