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Cancer awareness in ethnic groups 'must improve'

07/07/2008

A campaign is being launched today to raise awareness of cancer among black and minority ethnic communities.

These communities are less likely to recognise signs and symptoms of cancer compared to the general population.

It is essential that black and ethnic minorities (BME) are aware of cancer signs as certain groups have higher risk factors than the general population.

Black women are more likely to get breast cancer at a younger age and have a more aggressive form of the disease; south Asian people have a higher incidence of mouth cancer; and Bangladeshi and Chinese communities have a higher incidence of liver cancer.

Community leaders have also reported that barriers exist which can delay members of an ethnic community from accessing available information and cancer services.

A Cancer Research UK commissioned report has found one of the main problems behind this is poor collection of ethnic data.

This can lead to resources failing to reach those in need. Researchers concluded that official ethnic categories need to change to represent new migration patterns and mixed populations.

The awareness week launched today is supported by charities including Cancer Research UK, African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Speaking at the launch, news anchor Sir Trevor MacDonald said: "According to Cancer Research UK, half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle and it is vital that we get that message across to Britain's many and varied BME communities.

"Raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of cancer means that the disease is more likely to be caught in the early stages and allow patients the best chance of recovery.

"Providing information about how to change your lifestyle to reduce your risk of getting cancer is as important as developing new treatments and drugs to combat the disease."