Stopping the stigma: a cancer screening workshop for women from minority ethnicities
Download (PDF 8.57 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Dudley undertook a workshop to reduce stigma and encourage women from minority ethnic backgrounds to attend cancer screening appointments, focusing on breast, bowel, and cervical cancer.
Key findings
- Barriers to Screening
- Cultural stigma and embarrassment.
- Misconceptions (e.g., smear tests only after marriage).
- Fear of pain and discomfort.
- Language barriers and lack of accessible information.
- Mistrust due to past misdiagnoses.
- Community Insights
- Need for family involvement in cancer conversations.
- Importance of educating men about cancer.
- Lack of awareness among women from countries like Pakistan where screening is not routine.
- Feedback & Recommendations
- Provide information in multiple formats (videos, other languages, visual aids).
- Organize similar events for men from ethnic minority backgrounds.
- Ensure services are culturally sensitive and inclusive.