What kind of cancer is common in ethnic minorities?
According to Cancer Research UK, White people in England, are more than twice as likely to get some types of cancer, including melanoma skin cancer, oesophageal, bladder and lung cancers compared with people from Black, Asian or Mixed ethnic backgrounds. Likely in part due to preventable risk factors such as smoking and obesity. However, prostate cancer, myeloma (a type of blood cancer) and womb cancer, are all more common in Black people. The study also found that Black people are more likely to get stomach and liver cancers, and Asian people are more likely to get liver cancers. Any increase in cancer rates is concerning to the charity. With some evidence suggesting smoking and obesity rates in people from Black, Asian or Mixed ethnic backgrounds could become similar to those in White people in future, experts warn that cancer rates in minority ethnic groups could increase. Given existing inequalities in patient experience, which include people from minority ethnic groups reporting worse experiences of cancer care and lower survival for some cancer types seen, this is worrying.
How soon is cancer detected among ethnic minorities? Is there a stigma around the disease?
Cancer awareness is often lower among ethnic groups than the rest of the population. This can lead to people from these communities presenting later to their GP with possible signs and symptoms, or not seeking help at all. In 2021 Breast Cancer Now commissioned specific insight into ethnic communities, particularly Black and South Asian women. When asked about the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word cancer, the primary association with cancer is death: fatalism. This shows that the concept and possibility of early detection/early diagnosis are minimal as a first thought. There are misunderstandings, myths and taboos around breast cancer which can deter communities from talking about it and result in some people not disclosing their diagnoses. Our insight (sample of 561 women) also showed women from ethnic groups are less aware of the symptoms of breast cancer than White British women. Women from ethnic groups are less likely than White British women to believe breast cancer affects all women, including themselves. Women from ethnic groups are less aware of risk factors for breast cancer than White British women. White British women check for signs of breast cancer more frequently than women from ethnic groups. Asian women are the least confident in checking for signs of breast cancer. Whilst breast cancer incidence rates are lower amongst ethnic groups compared to their White counterparts, they are more likely to die from the disease. We know that the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of successful treatment.
What about rare forms of cancer? What's the status of its diagnosis?
A rare type of cancer can take longer for doctors to diagnose. This is because the symptoms might be unusual and less recognisable than more common types. People may also need to have more tests compared to people with common cancers.
What kind of help is available for ethnic minorities for breast cancer awareness?
Breast Cancer Now offers a range of health information in audio and written formats where language may be a barrier for people from ethnic backgrounds on breast health, risk factors, the NHS breast screening programme and myths and misconceptions around breast cancer. We also have a free, confidential Helpline, which offers a language line for people where English may not be their first language, where they can speak to one of our breast care nurses on 0808 800 6000. We also raise awareness of breast cancer through our Public Health talks programme. Our team of trained public health volunteers deliver talks, helping us spread vital awareness around early detection and prevention, championing our work in communities across the UK. Our talks can be delivered online or in-person to private, public health and voluntary organisations including workplaces, local community groups, religious groups, voluntary organisations, universities and professional networks. We also offer online and in-person public health talks to help raise awareness of breast cancer amongst workplaces, organisations and local community groups, which you can book by contacting us on our website.
Is there any data available for cancer in ethnic minorities?
We are aware of a lack of recent data that looks at outcomes in people with breast cancer from ethnic minority backgrounds. This type of data is not routinely collected or published in the standard datasets (so we take these findings from published research). We need more current research in this area.
