Cross Civil Service Working Through Cancer Network, GLD Disability and Wellbeing Network and GLD Working with Cancer Network invite you to attend a free live session on, ‘Breaking down taboos, lifting the lid off cancer in BAME communities’. Despite equal access to the National Health Service, there are more inequalities in cancer morbidity and mortality amongst black women compared to women of other racial and ethnic backgrounds, particularly white women.

Cancer fear and cancer fatalism are believed to be higher in ethnic minorities than White British women. This can often lead to people not seeking timely help and support when most needed. A report from the Macmillan Cancer Support showed that cancer awareness and help-seeking behaviours among BME groups was the lowest across all minority ethnic groups. Cancer screening uptake within these communities across the UK is also lower than average. Cultural issues and language barriers can often compound uptake of screening. This is particularly true of certain cancers such as breast, uterine, ovarian and cervical cancer.

Unfortunately this can also impact on diagnoses, late stage at diagnosis for breast cancer in England is more common in Black African (25%) and Black Caribbean adults (22%), compared to White British adults (13%), according to Public Health England's 2016 statistics.

There will be a panel led interactive discussion on, does the taboo of cancer exit in certain communities? What can be done to raise the awareness of this? And, what can be done to break down the taboo so that people affected by cancer can seek timely medical intervention and support?

With speakers:

• Samina Hussain- Cancer survivor and founder of, ‘Sakoon through Cancer’.

• Bami Adenipekun- Founder of, ‘Inspired to Soar’, author and trauma coach

• Anoushe Husain- Civil Servant, inspirational disability mentor and a para- climbing ambassador.

• Beryl St James- Civil Servant and People Impact Consultant

• Raana Alwi- Civil Servant and Finance Training Schemes Support Officer

Breaking Down Taboos: Lifting the Lid Off Cancer in BAME Communities