Barriers to effective uptake of cancer screening among Black and minority ethnic groups.
OBJECTIVE
To describe some of the factors that act as barriers to effective uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening services among black minority ethnic (BME) groups living in Brent and Harrow in the UK.


METHODS
A series of focus groups among African Caribbean, African, Gujarati, Pakistani, Greek and Arabic groups were held to discover their perceptions of cancer screening, the barriers to effective uptake and some strategies for intervention.


METHODS
This consisted of 135 participants: 85 women and 50 men.


RESULTS
Analysis of focus group data has revealed poor knowledge, underlying health and cultural beliefs, attitudes, language and unhelpful attitudes of health professionals to be important barriers. In terms of strategies for effective intervention, the most popular strategy for improving uptake of screening services was community-based cancer awareness education that is sensitive to religious and cultural needs.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need to provide community-based education to increase the uptake of screening services among BME groups. It is essential to plan concurrently to educate GPs and other health professionals in cultural beliefs and customs, language needs, racial awareness and communication skills.
Department of Haematology, Guys' and St Thomas Hospital, London, UK.
Veronica Nicky
VN
Thomas
Tariq
T
Saleem
Rachel
R
Abraham
D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D044383:Black People / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006115:Greece / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010154:Pakistan / Q000208:ethnology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014900:West Indies / Q000208:ethnology