Olubukola Ayodele: The deep-rooted disparities ethnic minority groups face in breast cancer awareness, diagnosis in the UK
Olubukola Ayodele, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:
““I didn’t think Black women got breast cancer…”
This heartbreaking phrase is one I’ve heard far too often—and it’s exactly why I recently joined Mike Kinnaird, the producer of Cancer Can Do One on a powerful podcast conversation to talk about the deep-rooted disparities ethnic minority groups face in breast cancer awareness, diagnosis, and outcomes in the UK.
As a Black female breast oncologist, I carry a dual perspective—medical expertise and lived experience. I know how dangerous it is when our communities are left out of national health conversations. When awareness campaigns rarely feature women who look like us, it fuels a silent epidemic of invisibility.
Here’s the reality:
- Black women in the UK are often diagnosed later and with more aggressive subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer.
- We face lower survival rates, not due to biology alone, but due to systemic inequities.
- There’s a lack of culturally tailored education, underrepresentation in screening promotions, and fewer targeted outreach efforts.
- Many women still believe breast cancer is a “white woman’s disease.”
That misconception can cost lives.
In the podcast, I shared:
- Why representation in campaigns isn’t just a “diversity checkbox”—it’s a public health necessity.
- The need for earlier, culturally sensitive education and outreach in Black and minority ethnic communities.
- How healthcare professionals can better listen, communicate, and build trust with underserved populations.
- What we can do collectively to shift the narrative—from policy changes to grassroots empowerment.
Visibility saves lives. When women see themselves reflected in awareness efforts, they’re more likely to seek help, attend screening, and believe that early detection applies to them too.
I’m proud to use my voice to bridge the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they too often overlook. But there’s still much to be done.
If you’re working in oncology, public health, community advocacy—or just care about equity in cancer care—I encourage you to listen, share, and join the conversation.
On Spotify.
On Apple.
On Podbean.
Let’s dismantle the myths and build a breast cancer awareness landscape that includes all women.”
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