Title: Breast cancer and incarcerated women: risk, prevention, and coping in prison

Authors: Dawna Komorosky; Silvina Ituarte

Addresses: Department of Criminal Justice Administration, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd. MI Hall 4068 Hayward, CA 94542, USA ' Department of Criminal Justice Administration, California State University, East Bay, 25800 Carlos Bee, Blvd. Hayward, CA 94542, USA

Abstract: As the US and European correctional systems concentrate on incapacitation and punishment, healthcare for incarcerated women continues to suffer. Female inmates, who frequently experience histories of abuse, a substandard quality of life, and limited access to medical attention before entering the system, additionally possess risk factors associated with breast cancer. These women typically do not seek treatment or preventative services while living in mainstream society and therefore have an increased need for healthcare education and services upon entering the correctional system. This analysis examines the limited existing knowledge concerning correctional healthcare, reveals breast cancer rates among incarcerated women, and addresses the challenges of prevention, treatment, and coping with a diagnosis of breast cancer while in prison. Eight recommendations are proposed.

Keywords: inmate health; females; correctional systems; prisons; breast cancer; incarcerated women; risk factors; prevention; female prisoners; coping in prison; healthcare education; healthcare services; female inmates.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQRS.2013.056335

International Journal of Qualitative Research in Services, 2013 Vol.1 No.2, pp.113 - 124

Received: 13 Nov 2012
Accepted: 27 Mar 2013

Published online: 05 Jul 2014 *

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