# The intersection between pre-existing disability and cancer-survivorship: A narrative review

## TL;DR

This review explores how pre-existing disabilities affect cancer care access and outcomes, highlighting barriers and the need for better support.

## Contribution

The paper provides a narrative review identifying key themes on how disability intersects with cancer survivorship.

## Key findings

- Low cancer screening rates among people with pre-existing disabilities were observed.
- Barriers to cancer screening include societal and systemic challenges.
- Pre-existing disability influences cancer incidence, treatment, and survival outcomes.

## Abstract

Previous research shows people with pre-existing disabilities face unique societal barriers to health services. The purpose of this review is to promote a better understanding of ways pre-existing disability affects access to cancer-related care through a critical commentary of the research literature.

Systematic search procedures were used to locate articles for inclusion in a narrative review of the research literature. A priori search terms were used to systematically search for eligible articles, using four online databases. These authors thematically analyzed trends in the research findings using a descriptive-interpretive paradigm.

Thirteen articles were included in the final narrative review. Four themes were identified: (1) low screening rates, (2) barriers to cancer screening, (3) pre-existing disability moderates cancer incidence, treatment, and survival, and (4) recommendations for supporting improved HRQoL in cancer survivors with pre-existing disability.

Our findings illustrate a need for interdisciplinary research focused on ways pre-existing disability intersects with cancer-related healthcare.