Cancer and black and minority ethnic communities briefing paper

1. There is a higher incidence of certain cancers in black and minority ethnic communities and the general incidence of cancer in these communities is rising.

2. Understanding the prevalence and experiences of cancer in black and minority ethnic groups is hindered by a lack of data relating to these communities.

3. Patients who are members of black and minority ethnic groups report more negative experiences of cancer care than white ethnic groups.

4. Health care providers have a poor understanding of the needs of black and minority ethnic communities. There is a lack of health education regarding cancer and awareness of the availability of support services is limited among black and minority ethnic communities. As well as this, there is a lack of cultural competence education for health providers, especially in cancer awareness.

5. There is clear evidence of a lack of focus, priority and urgency of the cancer needs of black and minority ethnic populations in NHS policy documents and in NHS cancer data collection exercises.

6. In spite of some of these shortcomings, there are several examples of best practice, often led by the charitable sector.