On World Cancer Day, we want to shine a light on an issue that often goes unseen: people with a learning disability face higher cancer risk and worse outcomes, yet their needs are frequently overlooked.

What the research shows

Recent studies, including research from The University of Manchester, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, and The Lancet, reveal concerning inequalities:

• People with a learning disability were half as likely to be urgently referred for possible cancer symptoms, even when they had “red flag” warning signs.
• They were more likely to be diagnosed later, when the disease had spread, making it harder to treat.
• Treatment was less likely: surgery, radiotherapy, and other cancer therapies were used less often in people with a learning disability.
• Life expectancy after a cancer diagnosis was shorter. Most people with a learning disability died within four years, compared with nine years for people without. Outcomes were particularly poor for people with severe learning disabilities or Down syndrome.

The studies also found that certain cancers are more common in this population:

• Sarcoma – around twice as high
• Cancers of the central nervous system – over three times higher
• Testicular cancer – twice as high
• Uterine cancer – about 70% higher

Some cancers, like melanoma, breast, and prostate, were less common, but people with a learning disability who developed these cancers were up to four times more likely to die. This highlights the problem of delayed diagnosis and unequal access to effective treatment.

People with a learning disability were also over 70% more likely to develop cancer before age 50, with especially high rates for nervous system, uterine, ovarian, digestive tract, and oesophageal cancer, the latter being more than five times higher in under-50s.

Screening inequalities

Government guidance from gov.uk shows that people with a learning disability, autism, or both are less likely to access screening, which adds to cancer risk. Evidence shows:

• People with a learning disability often receive poorer care and die earlier than those without
• Health information can be hard to understand, for example during pregnancy
• Breast screening uptake is lower
• Bowel cancer screening can be difficult to complete
• Cervical screening uptake is lower

Health professionals should provide accessible information and reasonable adjustments, so people with a learning disability can understand and decide whether to take part in screening.

Why these inequalities exist

Barriers include:

• Communication difficulties
• Diagnostic overshadowing, where symptoms are wrongly attributed to a learning disability
• Inflexible appointment systems
• Lack of staff training
• Missed opportunities for early referral or investigation

These issues contribute to delayed diagnosis, fewer treatments, and poorer survival.

A call for change

Cancer is one of the leading causes of avoidable death for people with a learning disability. Experts and charities call for:

• Earlier and priority screening
• Faster urgent referrals
• Better staff training
• Accessible information and reasonable adjustments

Everyone deserves fair access to life-saving cancer care, regardless of disability.

Our commitment

At Lisieux Trust, we believe people with a learning disability deserve equitable, compassionate healthcare.

On World Cancer Day, we stand with people with a learning disability and their families in calling for screening, early diagnosis, and treatment that can save lives.

No one should be left behind.

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