“I was recently denied access to a life saving mammogram on the basis that I couldn’t complete a ‘standing transfer’. I believe this was a direct result of assumption and ignorance. Mammograms can be performed from a wheelchair. I know this because I insisted on one, and it was done with little additional fanfare or adjustment required. Imagine my surprise some 3 weeks later only to be recalled and diagnosed with an aggressive Stage 2, triple-positive breast cancer. I didn’t even have a lump!
This experience is not unique to me. Across Australia, access to breast screening services for people with disability is a postcode lottery. The status quo is a patchwork of inconsistent policies, outdated assumptions, and infrastructure that fails to accommodate powered chairs or those who cannot stand.
One state requires transfer into a manual wheelchair, another excludes electric wheelchairs altogether. Some states publish vague caveats like “it may not be possible.” Meanwhile, the equipment and procedures themselves are often not the issue, social bias, lack of knowledge and attitude are the real issues.
This is why I believe we urgently need a national protocol to ensure equal access to healthcare services for people with disabilities. Life-saving services such as mammograms should not be contingent on geography, mobility, or someone’s ability to “fit” a guideline. I am living proof that accessible imaging is possible.
~ Carol Taylor
Join us on Tuesday 5th August at 6pm AEST, to hear Carol and other noteworthy speakers talk about “fair and equitable healthcare”.
We look forward to you joining us for this incredibly important discussion to explore what is and isn’t working in the provision of healthcare for people living with disability in our country.
To register go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6zzLprNATDeWu1GD8ARb5A
On registering, we also invite you to share any questions that you would like to ask our speakers. You can choose to remain anonymous in asking these questions.
The opportunity to ask questions will also be made available during the webinar. However, please be mindful that these questions will be answered dependent on time constraints.
