Ultrasonography is an effective tool for breast cancer screening in individuals with severe motor and intellectual disabilities

J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2024 May;37(3):e13234. doi: 10.1111/jar.13234.

Abstract

Background: Individuals with severe motor and intellectual disabilities have become an aging population, and high cancer morbidity and mortality are critical issues affecting their survival. Cancer screening is a crucial method of resolving this issue; however, a suitable screening method for them has not been established.

Methods: We used ultrasonography alone and performed breast cancer screening for women over 30 years old in our facility from 2016 to 2023. We observed the outcomes and calculated the recall/detection rate in this screening.

Results: Three cases among 379 tested positive in this screening, all of which underwent radical surgery. They are alive and well without relapse present. We detected these breast cancer cases with a low recall rate.

Conclusion: We were able to successfully detect breast cancer cases using ultrasonography alone. Ultrasonography is an effective and feasible tool for breast cancer screening in individuals with severe motor and intellectual disabilities.

Keywords: breast cancer; minimally invasive; quality of life; screening; severe intellectual disabilities; ultrasonography.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Breast Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Early Detection of Cancer / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability*
  • Mammography
  • Ultrasonography