Dying through lack of awareness

According statistics one in three of humans will get cancer. Whilst still being at risk of other forms of cancer, Asian communities in the UK are more at risk of oral cancer occurs drew to their habit of betel quid chewing. This is when they chew areca nuts, betel nuts, paan and gutka (a common practice among some people in India and Asia). During Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Week (11 -17 July 2011) Macmillan Cancer Support will be raising awareness of BME groups and their likelihood of suffering terminal cancer in light of them being the least group in the UK population to seek cancer services.

People of colour are up to three times more likely to get prostate and stomach cancer than the white population. The reason there is a lack of awareness/uptake in screening is due to a variety of factors, for instance, language and cultural needs.

Hana Ibrahim, Macmillan Cancer Support spokesperson, said, “Many people tend to be diagnosed when cancer is more advanced, leading to poorer survival. But it’s not just about cancer screening and diagnosis. People from ethnic minority communities often report that their treatment fails to meet basic standards of care and continue to tell us that their cultural needs, such as food choices and privacy, are routinely unmet. We believe everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.”

Women from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups are more likely to present with more advanced breast cancers and have poorer survival than White women.

Kewcha, 31, was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins lymphoma when she was 27. “The week before Christmas in 2006 my aunt noticed a lump in the crease of my nose. That morning when I had done my makeup I didn’t notice anything so it seemed like it just suddenly appeared but I didn’t think anymore of it. I just thought it was an allergic reaction to some blusher that I used. The following morning however the lump had got much bigger and was quite swollen and my aunt suggested I go to A&E they then referred me to the Maxiofacial clinic, where I had lots of tests.

She didn’t know much about cancer before my diagnosis but quickly educated myself about Non Hodgkins lymphoma. “Having the right information was very important to me as well as knowing where to turn to for support,” says Kewcha. “Luckily my amazing network of family, friends and Macmillan helped me through this difficult time.”

She found there was a lack of wigs for people within the ethnic community so she started making wigs in styles that she had used to style her own hair. When she spoke to other people going through treatment, she realised she wasn’t the only one who wasn’t happy so she started making personalised wigs for other people. In 2009 she launched her very own business with support from UnLtd and the Black Business Initiative.

To provide better access to cancer information and support, the Macmillan Mobile Cancer Information Centre throughout the year and UK-wide, will also be visiting towns and cities up and down the country highlighting communities and reminding them that they are not forgotten or alone.

For cancer support at home, over the phone, call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am -8pm). The service offers an interpretation service in over 200 languages.

To find out more visit www.macmillan.org.uk

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Every Wed and Fri
CREATIVE MEDITATION
Sit back, relax and be guided through a mind body relaxation & visualisation. Leave with a greater sense of clarity and peace of mind. Drop in sessions are stand alone. : Venue: Inner Space, 36 Shorts Gardens, Covent Garden, WC2H 9AB. 1pm - 1. 30pm. Info: 0207 836 6688 / www. innerspace. org. urg. uk

Every Mon, Wed and Fri
CREATIVE MEDITATION
Drop-in for 30 min break during your lunch hour. Sit back, relax and be guided through a mind & body relaxation and visualisation. Each session is a stand alone sessions. Closed Bank Holidays. Venue: Templeton House Studio, 33-34 Chiswell Street, London EC1Y 4SF 1pm - 1. 30pm. Info: 0207 836 6688 / www. innerspace. org. urg. uk