Raising awareness of the importance of bowel screening
We are working with Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) to raise awareness of the importance of bowel cancer screening in targeted population areas across Kent and Medway.
This work now takes place under SEK's Cancer Smart Programme, which raises awareness of breast, lung, prostate, bowel, cervical, skin and testicular cancer.
Previously the work focused on bowel cancer, raising awareness of the signs and symptoms and bowel cancer screening via the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT); a home-based bowel cancer screening test that detects hidden blood in a stool sample, which can be a sign of bowel cancer or polyps.
Reaching minority ethnic communities
Picture: Bowel test awareness presentation
SEK aimed to reach minority ethnic communities in Gravesham and Dartford to raise awareness of all three main cancer screening programmes. These areas have some of the highest populations of minority ethnic residents in Kent.
In addition, SEK supported work with LGBTQI, young people, and manual and construction workers across the area to emphasise the importance of cancer screening.
SEK delivered a comprehensive programme of 150 community engagement and information events aimed at reaching more than 3,000 individuals from underserved communities.
Reducing health inequalities
Research has consistently shown that people living in the most deprived parts of England experience worse health outcomes.
Some of the most deprived parts of the country are under-resourced coastal and rural areas.
People in deprived areas face greater challenges accessing good quality healthcare – including cancer care – compared to those living in cities.
Barriers that prevent people in these areas from receiving preventative care and cancer treatment can include lack of transport to appointments and poor medical care infrastructure.
