Exploring the barriers to bowel cancer screening in Barking and Dagenham
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Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham undertook a project in 2024 to explore barriers to bowel cancer screening uptake in the borough, given the significantly lower screening rates compared to national averages, according to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Annual Director of Public Health Report 2022/23. Despite bowel cancer being the fourth most common cancer in the UK, only 57.4% of Barking and Dagenham residents who are eligible for screening participate, compared to the national rate of 70.3%. This report identifies cultural, social, and practical barriers impacting screening participation.
A survey of 336 residents examined knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to bowel cancer screening, as well as general engagement with healthcare services. Key insights include:
- 46% of respondents were aged 60-74, with 74% identifying as White and 21% as first-generation immigrants.
- There was limited awareness of the home test kit, language barriers, low trust in healthcare, and cultural stigmas around discussing cancer were prevalent among minority communities, particularly impacting men.
- Residents showed a preference for receiving information in community settings such as religious spaces, libraries, and social media, with many expressing a need for culturally sensitive outreach.
This project, supported by the North East London Cancer Alliance and local health partners, aimed to inform targeted actions that better serve the diverse needs of Barking and Dagenham residents, ultimately fostering a more inclusive approach to bowel cancer prevention and care.