In the UK, there are approximately 385,000 new cancer diagnoses annually. However, we know that ethnic minority communities, specifically Asian and Black ethnic groups, experience poorer outcomes for some cancers and are less likely to report a positive care experience compared to their White counterparts.
In homage to Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Month, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the cancer health inequalities faced by Black, Asian, and other minoritised ethnic communities, we discuss these disparities.
Cancer Health Inequalities
While overall cancer incidence is lower among ethnic minority groups compared to the White population, certain cancers are more prevalent in minority groups. For instance, myeloma and stomach cancer are more common in Black people, gallbladder cancer in Black and Asian people, and prostate cancer in Black men. Additionally, Cancer Research UK found that Black and Asian individuals generally wait longer for a cancer diagnosis than their White counterparts.
Understanding the Causes
Our research identifies several contributing factors to these disparities:
- Poor Data Quality: Data on minority groups is often incomplete or inaccurate, which hampers efforts to understand and address their specific needs.
- Negative Care Experiences: Patients from minority communities frequently report more negative experiences with cancer care compared to White patients.
- Lack of Cultural Awareness: Health care providers often lack training and understanding of the specific needs of Black and minority ethnic communities.
Barriers to Diagnosis and Treatment
Several barriers contribute to the inequalities in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes:
- Screening: Lower screening uptake among ethnic minority groups is linked to cancer stigma and often results in delayed diagnoses.
- Accessibility: Juggling responsibilities and securing appointments can be challenging for many in these communities.
- Data Accuracy: Improvements have been made in identifying ethnicity within Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data, but issues with completeness and accuracy persist.
- Health Education: There is a lack of health education and awareness about cancer and available support services in Black, Asian and Minortisied Ethnic communities.
Moving Forward
Early detection is critical. Despite the barriers, the earlier you get detected, the more likely you will face better outcomes.
To achieve this we need to break into word-of-mouth networks and ensure that there are trusted professionals responding when Black, Asian and minoritised communities need help.
