Adults with learning disabilities are more likely to die from cancer compared to the general population with a higher proportion of avoidable cancer deaths, according to a new study by the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory.
Researchers from the University of Glasgow found that the reasons for this may include later presentation/diagnosis so poorer outcomes as well as poorer treatment and compliance.
The study, which was published in the BMJ Open, found that adults with learning disabilities had a higher incidence of metastatic cancer of unknown primary origin (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body), and three times as many died from cancer at this advanced stage compared to the general population.
The most common cancer-related deaths were similar for women with and without learning disabilities, including breast, digestive (specifically colorectal) and respiratory cancers. However, women with learning disabilities had higher mortality rates from breast cancer, female genital organ cancers (namely ovarian cancer and body of uterus) and, cancers of unknown primary origin.
The most common cancer-related deaths in men with learning disabilities mirrored the general population, including digestive (specifically colorectal), and respiratory cancers. However, men with learning disabilities were more likely to die from colorectal cancer and cancers of unknown primary origin.
Researchers are now calling for public health strategies to consider the unique needs of people with learning disabilities, emphasising accessibility. They added that promoting awareness of cancer symptoms among carers is crucial, especially for early detection. Clinicians also need to be aware that cancers can present late in this population and provide preventive interventions on known risk factors to reduce incidence.
Professor Deborah Cairns, Director of the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory and Cancer Programme Lead, said: “This is the first study in more than 20 years to report on the differences in cancer incidence and mortality between adults with learning disabilities and the general population. These startling findings highlight that people with learning disabilities continue to face significant health inequalities in all aspects of their lives including a higher proportion of avoidable cancer deaths. Many cancers are preventable and/or treatable and the more we raise awareness about early signs and symptoms, the more lives we are likely to save.”
The study also found that people with learning disabilities continue to face significant health inequalities, including a 20-year mortality gap and a higher proportion of avoidable deaths compared with the general population. Many cancers are considered either preventable or treatable. However, until now there has been a lack of robust comparable evidence looking at differences in cancer incidence and cancer deaths between the population with and without learning disabilities.
Lead researcher Dr Laura Ward, added: “These findings are deeply concerning. Adults with learning disabilities are missing out on lifesaving cancer treatment due to their cancer being found too late and we urgently need to find out why this is case.”
