Most ethnic minority women in the UK are too embarrassed to see their GP with potential cancer symptoms, according to a study by University of Surrey and King’s College London, funded by Cancer Research UK. The study, published today in Cancer, found that more than half (53 per cent) of all ethnic minority women who had been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, but did not have any symptoms at all, Fears of what symptoms mean and a limited understanding of GPs were also cited as barriers. Among potential barriers to seeing a GP listed in the survey, white women reported three, on average, but those with ethnic minority backgrounds reported about six.
Most ethnic minority women in the UK are too embarrassed to see their GP with potential cancer symptoms, according to a study by University of Surrey and King’s College London, funded by Cancer Research UK. Their report said that compared to up to 91% of ethnic minority women, just 8% of white women suffered similar problems. Fears of what symptoms mean and a limited understanding of GPs were also cited as barriers. Among potential barriers to seeing a GP listed in the survey, white women reported three, on average, but those with ethnic minority backgrounds reported about six.