Can women with a physical disability be screened?
Mammography is a procedure which is technically difficult and which requires a high degree of cooperation between the mammography practitioner and the woman. The woman has to be carefully positioned on the x-ray machine, and must be able to hold the position for several seconds. This may not be possible for women with limited mobility in their upper bodies or who are unable to support their upper bodies unaided. If a woman has a physical disability, or is a wheelchair user, then the breast screening unit should advise on whether breast screening is technically possible. If a mammogram is not technically possible, the woman should still remain in the call and recall programme, as any increased mobility at a future date may make screening easier. If a woman cannot be screened she should be advised on breast awareness.
