Autistic Experiences of Breast Cancer

Collaborators

Logo of the Autistic Experiences of Breast Cancer study which consists of 7 petal shapes in different colours - orange, light blue, dark blue, green, yellow, pink and purple in a horizontal line alternating up or down with the words Autistic Experiences of Breast Cancer underneath.
Light blue petal shape with an i in a circle in it

Collaborators

Head shot of Ms Eleanor Jane Turner who has long hair and is wearing glasses and a pink top

Ms Eleanor Jane Turner is a post CCT Breast & General Surgeon and Medical Editor for Medico-Legal Journal. Ms Turner’s expertise in breast surgery and breast cancer will be vital in this research project by providing specialist knowledge of the procedures, associated recovery and aftercare, as well as providing advice for the implementation of accommodations and findings for the guidelines to healthcare professionals in work package 4.

Dr Mary Doherty is a Neurodiversity-affirmative Autism Expert (Healthcare & Medical Education), Consultant Anaesthetist and founder of the peer-support and advocacy groups ‘Autistic Doctors International’ and ‘Autistic Med Students’. Dr Doherty regularly delivers presentations and talks about stigma and deficit-led narrative around autism and dispels the misinformation and stereotypes of autism with experiences from autistic people and research findings from studies conducted by Autistic Doctors International. Dr Doherty’s important research into the healthcare barriers experienced by autistic adults was crucial to the formation of this research project which will add to the findings reported by Dr Doherty and colleagues.

Head shot of Dr Mary Doherty who has long hair and is wearing a black and white top and blazer.
Head shot of Dr Sebastian Shaw who is wearing a pink shirt with birds on it and glasses

Dr Sebastian Shaw is a Lecturer in Medical Education (Research Methods) at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, where he is also the Neurodiversity Lead on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team for Postgraduate Taught courses. He is also the Research Lead for Autistic Doctors International. Seb is clinically trained and active, currently working as a part-time GP Speciality Registrar alongside his academic roles. Seb is multiply neurodivergent himself (autistic / ADHD / dyslexic) and draws on his lived experience in his research. He recommended the research methodology that will be used in this project and has expertise in these methods. He is also well experienced in researching the experiences of neurodivergent people in medical education and practice. This prior research has laid the foundations for this project by identifying barriers to accessing healthcare for autistic people. This project will build upon the research conducted by Seb and Autistic Doctors International to report autism-specific barriers associated with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, seeking to promote meaningful change through empowering the voices of autistic participants.