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Is there any evidence that Black people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer at later stages than others?

There is NHS data and charity data that confirms the poorer outcomes and later diagnosis of certain cancers in the Black population in the UK.

Information about the differences in experience, screening and diagnosis of cancer in Black people in the UK is publicly available from number of organisations. You can read more in the 2018 Race Equality Foundation briefing on ‘Cancer and Black and Minority Ethnic communities’ below:

http://raceequalityfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/REF-Better-Health-471-1.pdf

There are good examples of efforts to address these inequalities. Increasing awareness and knowledge about risks and screening can empower people to ask for the health services they need. More culturally sensitive services and staff is also key in ensuring that people in the Black community can expect the same health outcomes of any other group in the UK.

If you need help and support you can also contact charities such as:

BME cancer communities (https://www.bmecancer.com)

Cancer Equality Care – (https://cancerequality.co.uk)

Can survive UK (https://can-survive.org.uk)

Sasha

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If there is a history of cancer in your family how often do you get screened ?

Screening for the cancers common in the general population in the UK is offered through national screening programmes. This is usually for breast cancer, bowel cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer. They are all done at different frequencies and ages depending on your family history and sometimes ethnicity.

It is important that you attend screening when recommended and do self checks.

If particular cancers are more common in your family or you have a higher personal risk your GP, family history nurse or genetic counsellor can work out what screening you should be having and how often. This may be as frequent as every year.

Sasha

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If your parents suffered from a hereditary cancer what are the chances that you will develop it or pass it on?

All hereditary cancers are different. The risks of passing on a faulty gene that increases the risk of a cancer can be as high as 1 in 2 ( 50%) but it can be lower too.

The risk of cancer varies. Talking to a genetic counsellor will help you to know: if the cancer in your family is hereditary, if there is a faulty gene that can be identified and what your chances of developing cancer may be.

Sometimes the chance of developing a hereditary cancer is as high as 80 % sometimes it is as low as 1%. This chance can be affected by the specific gene, your age, your diet, whether you are a man or a woman amongst other factors.

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What are the most common cancers likely to be found in people of African descent?

Breast and bowel cancer are two of the most common cancers to affect people of African descent in the UK. Prostate cancer is also a cancer common in men. The risk of prostate is doubled in men of African and Caribbean descent compared to men of European descent.

The risk of cancers can be different based on the country or population you are from. People of African descent in other parts of the world may have different risks.

Although breast, bowel and prostate cancer are not usually hereditary, they can be sometimes. You should talk your GP if you are worried they may run in your family.

Sasha

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What are the most common hereditary cancers?

Breast cancer and bowel cancer are the most common hereditary cancers seen here in the UK. In the general population about 1 in 10 women get breast cancer and 1 in 20 individuals get bowel cancer.

In families where this is hereditary the risk of getting a particular cancer can be as high as 8 out of 10. There are lots of genetic conditions that make it more likely to get cancer. Each condition is uncommon and caused by faults in different genes. Each faulty gene will only cause certain types of cancer.

Sasha

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COVID-19 and BAME

What is your personal view about why there is a disproportionate risk of Covid-19 in the Black, Asian and minority ethnic populations in the UK?

Health inequalities are very complex and can have serious consequnces on the health and wellbeing of populations. Although there are genetic factors that are being researched around how people are affected by Covid-19 this information needa to be considered with the complex interaction with underlying structures.​​ Enviromental and social factors like housing, occupation, diet and underlying health conditions are often major determinants of our health outcomes and we need to explore more how they are distributed and why. This is why at Genetics Engage we are so passionate about improving the experience of health services like genetics for everyone.

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Advice for children

What advice do you give to a child who wants to be a genetic counsellor?

Be curious about science and health. Study things you enjoy so that you find it easier to work hard at them. Genetic counsellors use knowledge of genetics and caring for people to do their jobs. You can get experience of these things through education, volunteering and socialising with different people.

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Who are you?

We are two Black women, Sasha and Mavis, who have come together over our love of laughter and our ambition to set the world straight! See more on our Home page.

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Why this initiative?

There is a lot of talk about diversity in health and genomics, we wanted to explore more about what it really means to be diverse and inclusive.