Cervical Screening Among Black and Ethnic Minority Women: The Silent Crisis

Imagine this: every single day, two women in the UK lose their battle with cervical cancer. That's two families shattered; two lives cut short. And as we mark Cervical Cancer Prevention Week from January 22nd to 28th, nine more women will face the life-altering diagnosis of cervical cancer. But here's the thing – much of this pain and loss is preventable.

The Power of Prevention: More Than Just a Check-up

Cervical screening or ‘smear tests’ – a routine procedure many of us brush off as just another item on our health checklist – is the weapon in the fight against cervical cancer. Yet, Black women and women from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to attend for screening. This isn't just a set of dry statistics; it's a loud alarm bell signalling deep-rooted issues in our health and care system.

More Than Numbers: Understanding the Real Barriers

The challenges faced by Black and ethnic minority women in accessing cervical screening are many and varied. It's not only about race or ethnicity but a complex web where cultural beliefs, economic hurdles, and societal norms meet. Our research at Healthwatch Greenwich sheds light on these real-life barriers. We've listened to women who struggle to find appointments that fit with their hectic work schedules and child-care responsibilities. They've expressed a need for a supportive space where they can talk on the phone, ask questions, and seek reassurance before stepping into a screening appointment – a service that, astonishingly, isn't readily available. Moreover, misinformation plays a part in some communities. Some women believe that cervical screening is only for those who are sexually active. Others are dissuaded by family beliefs that screening might impact their virginity. These are not just misconceptions; they are dangerous beliefs that put lives at risk.

Our Mission at Healthwatch Greenwich: Equity for all

At Healthwatch Greenwich, we're not just identifying problems; we're actively seeking solutions. We're part of a national research project (led by Healthwatch England) aimed at dismantling these barriers. Locally, we’re a member of the Greenwich Focus on Cancer Group working to reduce health disparities and we sit on the Healthier Greenwich Partnership working with partners from the NHS, the Royal Borough of Greenwich, social care, and the community sector.  Our goal? To ensure that every woman in Greenwich, regardless of her ethnicity or background, takes the life-saving opportunity of cervical screening.

A Collective Responsibility: Join Us 

This is where you come in. We need your voice, your support, and your action: 

• Tell us about your experience of cervical screening or if you don’t go – tell us why. 
• Read our report to understand the depth of this issue. 
• Talk about it with your friends, your family, your community. If you know someone who's hesitant about cervical screening, be the one to offer support and factual information by reading this https://www.jostrust.org.uk/information/cervical-screening

Your voice, your action, can save a life. Let's make it count.