The Intersectionality of Cancer and Disability: Health Outcomes, Diagnostic Barriers, and Access Inequities

Cancer is a principal cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for approximately ten million deaths in 2022. The efficacy of cancer treatment hinges on timely and accurate diagnosis, yet disparities in healthcare access and quality persist, particularly for individuals with disabilities (PwD). Research consistently indicates worse cancer outcomes for PwD compared to non-disabled individuals. For example, those with intellectual disabilities exhibit significantly lower 10-year survival rates, and individuals with mental illness or severe disabilities are less likely to receive advanced treatments. Physical barriers and lack of accessible diagnostic equipment further hinder care, while cancer survivors frequently face higher rates of disabilities that impact their quality of life (QoL) and work capacity. Consequently, to successfully tackle these disparities, policy interventions are imperative. These should focus on enhancing healthcare accessibility, augmenting the training of healthcare professionals, and implementing inclusive screening programs. Legal protections and advocacy are essential to enforce anti-discrimination laws and ensure equitable healthcare provision. Interdisciplinary care coordination and patient-centered approaches are critical for optimizing cancer care for PwD. Future research should emphasize inclusive clinical trials, longitudinal studies, and the evaluation of policy interventions to develop efficacious strategies aimed at reducing disparities and improving cancer outcomes for PwD.