Though a little late for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I came across this article today via GimpGirl. According to a report published earlier this month, the death rate after treatment for breast cancer is higher among women with disabilities than those without.
Aside from issues of lack of access to screening and other preventative care, the article also cites as a possible reason the special considerations some disabled women may have to make when choosing courses of treatment.
There are many issues to address when considering treatment for patients with disabling impairments. For example, the researchers point out that total mastectomy or extensive dissection of the lymph nodes could hamper a disabled patient's mobility if they lose strength in their arms and upper bodies required to use wheelchairs or walkers.
This struck a nerve with me. With very little active muscle tissue in my arms, I know that my chest muscles are largely responsible for what little arm movement I have. I can't even begin to describe how much independence I would lose if I lost this little bit of movement. It does make me stop and think, what decisions would I make if I were faced with something like this?
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