My long-term career goal is to become an independent researcher focusing on cancer screening for people with intellectual disabilities. My immediate goal is to begin with a mentored K07 project on mammography in women with intellectual disabilities. My proposed K07 uses mixed methods to learn more about the cancer screening behaviors of women with ID and apply that knowledge to a feasibility study of an intervention, while simultaneously expanding my education in behavioral theory, qualitative research, and intervention planning. The proposal consists of three projects: the first, a secondary data analysis, will identify the characteristics of women with intellectual disabilities and the systems of care that are associated with completion of mammograms (Aim 1). The second, a qualitative analysis, will develop hypotheses on barriers and obstacles to screening and preferred methods to overcome them, using the context of the ecological and transtheoretical models (Aim 2). The information from these two projects will be used to inform the third project, a feasibility study of an intervention to increase mammography screening in women with ID (Aim 3) which is based on some of the elements of the Patient Navigator Research Program (PNRP).
These aims will further my investigative training and help me transition to a research career in cancer prevention and control, focusing on the unique cancer screening needs of this special population. Improving selected health benchmarks and access to care for people with ID has been a major goal of Healthy People 2010 and Closing the Gap. An important area targeted for improvement is preventive care and the early detection of disease. As people with intellectual disabilities live longer, it is important to emphasize screening and prevention, with an eye toward early detection and treatment, for several reasons: first, to improve quality and duration of life;second, to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities are receiving quality care in the community;third, to limit the resources spent on hospitalization and tertiary care of previously undiagnosed conditions;and fourth, to decrease health disparities for this growing, aging, and underserved segment of our U.S. population.

Public Health Relevance

About 8 million people with ID currently live in the US, and they live to an average age of 66. There has been very little research to date regarding the diminished uptake of cancer screening by this population. It is important to take initial steps toward improving cancer screening rates in order to reduce morbidity, mortality and cost associated with late detection of treatable cancers for these patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Academic/Teacher Award (ATA) (K07)
Project #
5K07CA134547-04
Application #
8284167
Study Section
Subcommittee G - Education (NCI)
Program Officer
Perkins, Susan N
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2012-07-01
Budget End
2013-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$169,236
Indirect Cost
$12,536
Name
Boston Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
005492160
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02118
Wang, Claire Tienwey; Greenwood, Nechama; White, Laura F et al. (2015) Measuring preparedness for mammography in women with intellectual disabilities: a validation study of the Mammography Preparedness Measure. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil 28:212-22
Greenwood, Nechama W; Dreyfus, Deborah; Wilkinson, Joanne (2014) More than just a mammogram: breast cancer screening perspectives of relatives of women with intellectual disability. Intellect Dev Disabil 52:444-55
Greenwood, Nechama W; Wang, Claire Tienwey; Bowen, Deborah et al. (2014) Testing the feasibility of a DVD-based intervention to promote preparedness for mammography in women with intellectual disabilities. J Cancer Educ 29:99-105
Wilkinson, J; Dreyfus, D; Bowen, D et al. (2013) Patient and provider views on the use of medical services by women with intellectual disabilities. J Intellect Disabil Res 57:1058-67
Wilkinson, Joanne; Dreyfus, Deborah; Cerreto, Mary et al. (2012) ""Sometimes I feel overwhelmed"": educational needs of family physicians caring for people with intellectual disability. Intellect Dev Disabil 50:243-50
Wilkinson, Joanne E; Culpepper, Larry (2011) Associations between colorectal cancer screening and glycemic control in people with diabetes, Boston, Massachusetts, 2005-2010. Prev Chronic Dis 8:A82
Wilkinson, Joanne E; Lauer, Emily; Freund, Karen M et al. (2011) Determinants of mammography in women with intellectual disabilities. J Am Board Fam Med 24:693-703
Wilkinson, Joanne E; Deis, Cristina E; Bowen, Deborah J et al. (2011) 'It's easier said than done': perspectives on mammography from women with intellectual disabilities. Ann Fam Med 9:142-7