Experiences of health professionals conducting cancer screening of individuals with intellectual disabilities: A phenomenological study.
Cancer-screening teams feel rewarded yet struggle—send them a brief behavior plan so the visit runs smoother for clients with intellectual disabilities.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Aydın et al. (2026) talked with cancer-screening staff about working with adults who have intellectual disabilities.
The team used open interviews so workers could share real stories.
No numbers were counted; the goal was to hear feelings and day-to-day problems.
What they found
Staff said the work felt meaningful.
They also said positioning, communication, and sudden behavior made the job hard.
Workers wanted clearer team plans and more hands-on help.
How this fits with other research
Perry et al. (2024) showed that doctors, carers, and adults with ID all lack cancer-awareness. Mesiya adds the view from the staff who must turn that low awareness into action.
Samtani et al. (2021) found almost no U.S. studies on cancer care for people with IDD. Mesiya fills that gap by giving rich detail on what frontline staff actually face.
Plourde et al. (2018) saw that stronger primary-care ties did not raise screening rates. Mesiya helps explain why: even willing staff hit practical walls during the visit.
Why it matters
You can ease these walls. Write a one-page cheat sheet that lists favorite positioning aids, simple words for each step, and a signal the client can use for a break. Share it with the clinic before the appointment. A small prep packet turns staff stress into smooth care and keeps clients with ID on the screening schedule.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer, with its increasing incidence and mortality rates, remains one of today's top global public health concerns. People with intellectual disabilities, a vulnerable population group, are at increased risk of developing cancer due to their high prevalence of behavioral risk factors. This study aims to examine the experiences of health professionals who perform cancer screening on individuals with intellectual disabilities. METHOD: The research is a phenomenological study. Data were collected from 13 healthcare professionals working in Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Education Centers between May and August 2025. A semi-structured interview form based on the literature was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants' experiences were examined under four themes and eleven subthemes: the meaning of caring for an individual with intellectual disabilities, difficulties experienced, coping with difficulties, and encouragement for cancer screening. CONCLUSION: It has been determined that healthcare professionals experience professional satisfaction when providing care to individuals with intellectual disabilities, but at the same time, they face challenges during this process. Healthcare professionals and managers working in screening units should collaborate to restructure services aimed at increasing the participation of individuals with intellectual disabilities in cancer screening programmes.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2026 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2026.105271