Experiences of Cancer Screening Services in Tower Hamlets
Project Background
Cancer is the leading cause of premature deaths in Tower Hamlets (NOMIS, 2023), and yet the uptake rates for cervical, breast and bowel cancer screening services are well below the national targets (80% for cervical and breast cancer, and 60% for bowel cancer).
The latest figures show that in 2023 only around 49% of women aged 25-49 attended their cervical screening appointment when invited while the attendance rate for breast cancer screening was even lower (46%). In fact, the uptake of these appointments has declined in recent years, specifically between 2020 and 2021 when the screening services were either suspended or affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the bowel cancer screening rate has been improving over the years, in particular after the introduction of a home test kit in 2019, the rate in 2023 was still below the national target at 55%.
Treatment options and survival rates for many cancers are improved the earlier they are detected, and the NHS Long Term Plan has set a target of 75% of cancers to be diagnosed at stages 1 and 2 by 2028.
Based on this evidence, Healthwatch Tower Hamlets decided to carry out a project exploring the experience of cancer screening services by local people and the barriers preventing people from taking up the offer of these free tests.
Methodology
The feedback was collected through an online survey between November 2023 and March 2024. The survey was widely promoted through local community organisations and NHS trusts.
In addition to the online survey, Healthwatch Tower Hamlets conducted face-to-face engagement at local services and events. These included: the Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum event, Idea Stores in Whitechapel, Chrisp Street, and Watney Market, the Royal London Hospital, Account3 ESOL Class, Community Diagnostic Centre at Mile End Hospital, and the International Women’s Day event at Maryam Centre in East London Mosque.
We spoke to 75 people regarding cervical, breast, and bowel cancer screening services. Depending on their age, some responded to questions on all three screening services. In total, 63 people shared their feedback on cervical cancer screening, 24 on breast cancer screening, and 22 on bowel cancer screening.
Key Findings and Recommendations
While the feedback highlighted differences in the main barriers for each screening service, we found that there were also some similarities in how all screening services could be improved.
The collective recommendations are:
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Offering out-of-hours appointment times for working people and people with commitments such as caring responsibilities.
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Patients should be asked about additional requirements such as a disability, feeling anxious, or needing an interpreter and appropriate assistance offered.
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Patients should be better informed about who will perform the screening test and what happens during the appointment to help reduce negative feelings.
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Information should be provided in different languages including Bengali.
Our report details the key findings and recommendations for each service.
Downloads
If you need the report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchtowerhamlets.co.uk or call 0800 145 5343.
