Lack of screening meaning BAME women are in mortal danger
The number of women being screened for cervical cancer has dropped in the last year, and boroughs such as Oldham are now a
full three points behind the national average.
This despite the fact that regular testing can prevent the condition completely.
But help is at hand with the news that two of the main players in Britain’s first Asian breast cancer campaign – our founder Dr Anita Sharma and trustee Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Muzahid Khan MBE – now plan to eliminate cervical cancer COMPLETELY!
“Yes this is a mighty challenge, but when you hear that 350,000 women lose their lives globally from the condition yearly and every one of those deaths is preventable, you have to think big” said Dr Sharma. “Study after study has shown that low screening levels happen mostly in disadvantaged areas – and that includes our South Asian communities.”
Speaking during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month (January), Dr Sharma reminded us that virtually all cases are linked to a common virus and that, “effective tools exist to prevent, detect and treat it.”
The other great weapon to deter cervical cancer is the HPV vaccine – which protects against viruses which cause cancer. This is usually administered to 12- and 13-year-olds, but anti-vax feelings have meant that the number of these administered is falling, too.
Thankfully, tackling received wisdom is something Dr Anita and Muzahid Khan do with their health work in the South Asian community.
Last year in conjunction with the Henna Foundation, Muzahid organised the Pink Chai campaign, which encouraged groups to come together over a cup of Indian tea and discuss cancer. “It was so refreshing to see women talking openly about cancer and beating the stigma so often associated with it. At an event that preceded Pink Chai, Dr Anita and I listened to a woman who had received chemotherapy for two years, never even telling her family about her condition. It was both heartbreaking and inspiring.”
Pink Chai is also attempting to fund screening services across the developing world and in particular, in Bangladesh.
And Dr Sharma will tell coffee mornings, meetings and webinars that selling the positives around screening should involve everyone.
“Increasing the profile of women’s health issues is societal and requires people of all ages, backgrounds and genders to become involved” concluded Dr Sharma. “With sustained political commitment, equitable access to health services, and collective action, we can ensure that no woman is left behind, and that cervical cancer is no longer a public health problem.”
Duo on how to crack cervical cancer
Our founder and our new trustee have teamed up to give you an insight into what they plan to do to curb the most preventable of cancers.
Dr Anita Sharma along with our newest recruit Muzahid Khan MBE, helped organise Britain’s first breast cancer drive for South Asian women – Pink Chai.
And now they’ve turned their attentions to the cervical form of the condition, the treatment of which is being hindered by similar cultural taboos about women’s health.
You can read their thoughts by visiting BLOGS
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Pressing the case for endo awareness
Don’t hack it. The media really is becoming an ally in the rush to raise endometriosis awareness.
Witness the amount of coverage on the subject of late, aided by personalities such as Naga Munchetty and Christine McGuinness, talking about their struggles with endo and adenomyosis.
And in our own press in Greater Manchester and within the Asian community, support has been excelling.
To read what the papers say, visit our PRESS COVERAGE page.
If you are a reporter and want comment on endo, please contact 07551 995833.
Find out what we're really about, on film
Click onto our brand new movie, detailing what Endometriosis Awareness North is all about Endometriosis Awareness North - YouTube
Featuring our treasured case study Courtney, it also gives medics a platform to call for quicker diagnosis of endometriosis.
With thanks to filmmakers Andrea Bertozzi and Pete Gibson Media.
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