Health and Wellbeing Event: Raising awareness for Breast Cancer for South Asians

This report is a summary of Healthwatch Swindon’s experience of attending an event in support of Changing Suits. Changing Suits is a non-profit organisation addressing the inequalities and cultural barriers for the South Asian community in Swindon. The event was held to raise awareness of breast cancer within the South Asian community, and to encourage people to attend mammogram appointments and seek medical advice if they are concerned.

As well as being there to show support, Healthwatch Swindon also used it as a chance to listen and talk to the South Asian community about their experiences of health and social care services in Swindon.

Healthwatch Swindon conclude from the event that more needs to be done in raising awareness within the South Asian community, not only about breast cancer but other medical conditions to which people from Asian backgrounds are more prone. The event highlighted that people form South Asian communities need more support when it comes to raising the importance of checking for certain medical conditions. This is mainly due to lack of information they are exposed to or given by health care professions and health and social care services in Swindon.

There is still a lot to be done within the South Asian communities in tackling taboo subjects and breaking down stigma. Healthcare providers need to address the languages in which they communicate with people from Asian backgrounds, and do more outreach work into these communities.