Olubukola Ayodele, Breast Cancer Lead at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“I am incredibly proud to have contributed to and signed an open letter urging the Prime Minister to address the inequalities faced by Black women living with breast cancer. This letter was delivered to No. 10 on Monday, October 27th, by Victoria Ekanoye and received by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
It is estimated that closing the inequality gap in breast cancer care could save 2,000 lives each year, result in £1.6 billion in well-being savings, and generate an economic benefit of £180-250 million annually.
To achieve this, we proposed four pillars of action:
1. Fund Targeted Grassroots Engagement to Catch Cancer Early:
We urge significant new funding to be allocated within the NHS 10-Year Cancer Plan for awareness campaigns and grassroots outreach specifically aimed at engaging Black communities around breast cancer.
2. Improve the Equity and Quality of Data for Better Treatment:
We call for the mandated collection and publication of data on breast cancer care and outcomes in England, disaggregated by ethnicity and cancer alliance.
Furthermore, we advocate for collaboration across devolved nations and globally to establish high-quality cancer registry data, including information on cancer relapses and metastatic cancers.
It is vital to dedicate funding and set clear targets to ensure that all clinical trials include representative participation of Black women.
3. Drive Forward Personalised Prevention, Treatment, and Care:
We recommend forming and funding a UK-wide task force to pilot targeted risk assessments, prevention strategies, and interventions.
4. Enhance the Experience of Black Women Undergoing Treatment:
We aim to champion anti-racism, cultural awareness, and equity across all treatment pathways. This includes increasing the availability of wigs and prosthetics on the NHS that are suitable for all skin tones.
The letter will be shared at Parliament in a panel discussion next week ahead of the new Cancer Plan being launched in the New Year.
Also, on Thursday, I was invited to an exclusive screening of the impactful documentary “Shades of Survival” at the House of Commons, hosted by Dawn Butler MP. The film highlights the global inequities in breast cancer care for Black women and was filmed in Nigeria, South Africa, the UK, and the USA. Directed by David Ayeni and produced by Hilary Moore, this documentary is educational and has the potential to save lives. It amplifies unheard voices and will foster a ripple effect of positive change, turning awareness into action. Premiered at the Cambridge Film Festival last week and showing next at the African Film Festival in Lagos.
“Cancer doesn’t discriminate, it touches every age, race, and background. Equity in care must do the same.”
More posts featuring Olubukola Ayodele on OncoDaily.
