Awareness of cancer symptoms and anticipated help seeking among ethnic minority groups in England.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about ethnic differences in awareness of cancer-warning signs or help-seeking behaviour in Britain. As part of the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI), this study aimed to explore these factors as possible contributors to delay in cancer diagnosis.


METHODS
We used quota sampling to recruit 1500 men and women from the six largest minority ethnic groups in England (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Caribbean, African and Chinese). In face-to-face interviews, participants completed the newly developed cancer awareness measure (CAM), which includes questions about warning signs for cancer, speed of consultation for possible cancer symptoms and barriers to help seeking.


RESULTS
Awareness of warning signs was low across all ethnic groups, especially using the open-ended (recall) question format, with lowest awareness in the African group. Women identified more emotional barriers and men more practical barriers to help seeking, with considerable ethnic variation. Anticipated delay in help seeking was higher in individuals who identified fewer warning signs and more barriers.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests the need for culturally sensitive, community-based interventions to raise awareness and encourage early presentation.
Waller
J
J
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK. j.waller@ucl.ac.uk
Robb
K
K
Stubbings
S
S
Ramirez
A
A
Macleod
U
U
Austoker
J
J
Hiom
S
S
Wardle
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care