Residents from communities experiencing health inequalities share feedback on cancer screening services in Islington

Healthwatch Islington was commissioned to gather feedback from people experiencing health inequalities on their experience of accessing cancer screening services.  They spoke to 436 people.

Cervical screening findings

• Over 85% of respondents who were invited for cervical screening attended their appointment. Of those that were eligible but did not receive an invitation (less than 5%), most said that they would attend.
• Respondents were generally positive about the idea of cervical cancer screening.
• Feedback demonstrated the importance of a warm, friendly welcome from practice staff and the provision of clear information about the screening process. This was particularly important if the patient was feeling nervous or anxious and was a significant factor in defining the patient experience.
• A small number of respondents that required adjustments to the service (FGM, rape survivor) reported experiences that did not meet their needs or preferred services that were trauma-informed.

Bowel cancer screening findings

• About 75% of eligible respondents had been sent a home testing kit.
• Most people who were sent a home testing kit went on to use it. Those that didn’t either found the testing process distasteful, found it impractical, didn’t get enough information, or did not understand what the home testing kit was.
• Experiences of using the kit were largely positive.
• Residents without recourse to language support may find the home testing kit inaccessible.

Breast screening findings

• 108 of the 120 respondents who were invited for breast screening attended the appointment. (16 of the 18 who didn’t receive an invite also said they would attend).
• Respondents who were helped to understand what to expect from the screening process reported feeling less anxiety and having a better experience. They also valued demonstration on how to do self-checks. Lack of provision of this information could lead to a negative experience. Sometimes this was due to failure to offer interpreting.
• Feedback from other engagement Healthwatch delivered in 2022 demonstrated that some residents found the breast screening venues inaccessible.