Charities encourage ethnic minority communities to talk about Cancer

Press Release

A number of big charity names, including the British Lung Foundation, MacMillan Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Care have been brought together by the charity Cancer Equality to deliver the upcoming ‘Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Week’, from 3rd to 10th July. The week aims to increase public awareness on the importance of taking action to reduce risk of cancer, particularly within black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, through organized events throughout the country. Other charities involved in this are Bowel Cancer UK, The Prostate Cancer Charity and The Afiya Trust.

Research shows that awareness of the early warning signs of cancer are substantially lower amongst BME groups than the population as a whole.* In addition, the risk of developing certain cancers can vary. For instance, South Asians have a higher incidence of liver cancer, South Asian women have a higher risk of oral cancer, Black women over 65 have a higher risk of cervical cancer and African Caribbean men have a higher risk of prostate cancer, compared to the UK average.**

These disparities are thought to be due to difficulties such as accessing information and services because of language or other barriers. There is also still some fear and stigma attached to cancer among different groups. These issues need to be addressed. If more people from BME groups are aware of the symptoms and seek help earlier, more people will survive cancer.

Jennifer Layburn, Chair of EMCAW says “The EMCAW week is a fantastic chance for all in the community to come together around this issue. We hope that the variety of fun, multicultural events across the country will provide the opportunity to talk and find out more about cancer in a relaxed and open environment.”

The main event of the week will be a family day at Broadwater Farm Community Centre in Haringey on 10th July, from 11.30am to 3.00pm. The Mayor of Haringey will be opening the event and all the leading cancer charities and Haringey Primary Care Trust will be there to provide information on cancer services and lead discussion forums throughout the afternoon. There will also be traditional African, Caribbean, Turkish and Asian food, activities for children and entertainment.

Anyone interested in finding out more about cancer is welcome to visit the family day in Haringey or one of the other events taking place during the week. To find your local event, please visit EMCAW Event Page.

* (British Journal of Cancer, 2009 “Awareness of cancer symptoms and anticipated help seeking among ethnic minority groups in England” J Waller et al)

**(NCIN and Cancer Research UK, 2009 “Cancer Incidence and Survival by Major Ethnic Group, England, 2002 – 2006”).

-- Ends --

For further press enquiries, please contact Liz Ryan on 020 7688 5594 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Photo Opportunity:

The Mayor of Haringey will be opening the launch event for Ethnic Minorities Cancer Awareness Week and giving a short speech at 12.00 noon on Saturday 10th July at Broadwater Farm Community Centre, Adams Road, Haringey, London. Contact Liz Ryan on 020 7688 5594 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to arrange a visit

Notes to Editors:

1. EMCAW was launched by the charity Cancer Equality in 2007. This initiative is supported and run by a group of charities who work together to deliver a week of events to raise cancer awareness and improve access to services amongst ethnic minorities.
2. There is evidence that ethnic minorities are associated with later diagnosis of cancer, leading to poorer survival. In addition some minority ethnic groups are associated with more risky behaviour e.g. smoking rates are highest in Bangladeshi males (44%), compared to 27% in the general population, whereas Bangladeshi women are more likely to chew tobacco (26%) than smoke cigarettes.
3. Liver cancer is between 1.5 and 3 times more likely amongst the Asian ethnic group than the white ethnic group.
4. African Caribbean males are 3 times more likely to develop prostate cancer than White men of the same age.
5. 45% black ethnic minority women of screening age (47 to 73) have never attended an NHS breast screening.

To arrange an interview with a case study, please contact Liz Ryan on 020 7688 5594 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it