Breast Cancer Screening: A Complex Issue for Black Women in the UK

Breast Cancer Statistics and Disparities

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women globally. However, in part thanks to screening programmes, over 75% of those diagnosed with breast cancer in England now survive for ten years or more. However, due to a complex combination of racial disparities in the quality of healthcare patients receive, social factors such as poverty, and differences in tumour biology, Black women in the UK are more likely to die from the disease than women from other ethnicities.

Barriers to Breast Screening

Breast screening improves breast cancer survival by identifying cancer at an earlier stage when it is easier to treat. In the UK, breast screening by mammography is offered free to women who are between the ages of 50 and 71 through the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme. However, research shows that Black women in the UK are less likely to take part in breast screening programmes but are more likely to die from the disease from late diagnosis. So, why are Black women less likely to attend breast screenings when it could help save their lives?

Review of Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening in Black Women

I was part of a team that reviewed all the studies which examined the barriers to breast cancer screening which Black women in the UK experience. The review found significant gaps in existing research on breast cancer in the Black community and barriers preventing Black African and Black Caribbean women in the UK from partaking in potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings.

The review found that previous research often grouped Black women from diverse backgrounds together, including Black African and Black Caribbean, masking important cultural nuances and different experiences. Additionally, the limited research available primarily focused on women who either attend screenings or who are ineligible, overlooking the crucial perspectives of those who are eligible but do not participate.

Conclusion

Our study found that barriers were physical, emotional, cultural, and related to healthcare. Black women who believed breast cancer could be treated if caught early were more likely to attend screening. Some of the key barriers, though, seem applicable to women from all ethnic groups. For example, fear of positive diagnosis. Cancer diagnosis is often seen as a death sentence, but we found that Black women, in particular, are less likely to discuss breast cancer. Our review found that fear, stigma, and negative perceptions of cancer contributed to a strong culture of silence which hindered responses to screening.

FAQs

• Why are Black women less likely to attend breast screenings?
• What are the barriers to breast cancer screening in Black women?
• How can we reduce health disparities in breast cancer screening?
• What are the key findings of the review on barriers to breast cancer screening in Black women?
• What are the implications of the review’s findings for healthcare providers and policymakers?