Some Icelandic women who attended scheduled cervical cancer screenings were sent home without being examined, Vísir first reported. The issue reportedly affected women with mobility impairments, particularly those who use wheelchairs, due to difficulties accessing the examination couch.
In Iceland, women aged 23 to 64 are routinely invited to cervical screening. When an invitation is sent, recipients should be able to book an appointment and attend the examination. However, at least some women encountered obstacles when accessibility needs were not met, resulting in them leaving appointments without a screening.
Health-care guidelines in Iceland state that women with mobility impairments have the same right to cancer screening as other women. According to reports, accessibility, safety and dignity are required parts of health-care services.
Attending regular cervical screenings has been shown to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer and the risk of dying from it. Because of this, equitable access to screening is especially important for all women, including those with disabilities.
Background
Sources
- Vísir (first reported) in Icelandic
- Vísir in Icelandic
- DV in Icelandic
