A special event at the House of Lords has called for action on the disparity in cancer outcomes and patient-reported satisfaction by black and minority ethnic groups.
Lord Sheikh led an audience of MPs and peers including Diane Abbott MP, shadow public health minister, Stephen Timms MP and Baroness Howells in calling for the government to address inequalities in cancer care.
The Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) Cancer Alliance launched the Calls For Action initiative; the audience heard from BME cancer patients who recounted their experiences around the quality of cancer care in the NHS and the particular challenges they faced.
The BME is made up of 20 charities representing black and ethnic groups from across the country.
Problems regarding lack of awareness of cancer symptoms and spotting the early signs were highlighted, as was lack of culturally sensitive cancer care services from providers and appropriate services for BME patients, such as suitable wigs and prostheses.
Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, said: "There are high rates of some cancers among black and minority ethnic communities. We need to raise awareness in order to increase early diagnosis in these communities, and help save lives.
"All levels of government need to listen to the calls of BME cancer patients, work with local communities and improve access to cancer services. In that way we can improve cancer outcomes in areas like mine."
The BME Cancer Alliance has proposed 10 specific ‘Calls to Action' to address these issues, urging the government to address the disparity.
Diane Abbott MP, shadow public health minister, said: "It is a very important initiative, and I fully support the BME Cancer Alliance Calls to Action."
The BME Cancer Alliance will use a charter to call for immediate action from the government and the NHS to improve outcomes for minority groups.
The Alliance said reducing inequalities in cancer will improve health outcomes and save the NHS money in the medium- and long-term.
