Cervical screening: the knowledge and opinions of black and minority ethnic women and of health advocates in East London

Abstract

As part of the initial phase of the ScanLink project carried out by the Can cerlink charity and held in Newham, East London, from 1995 to 1997, the views and experiences of black and minority ethnic women were sought on smear-test screening for cervical cancer. Several previous studies have found that minority ethnic groups receive unequal screening coverage. As part of community awareness-raising sessions on cancer, 172 black and minority eth nic women completed questionnaires on their knowledge, attitudes and experi ences of cancer-screening services. Of these women, 17 also took part in individual in-depth interviews; 11 of the session facilitators were interviewed individually, and 11 health advocates took part in two focus-group discussions, It was found that: many of the women surveyed were unaware of the screening service; many others held misconceptions about the smear test;, and fear, embarrassment and previous negative experiences all inhibited initial or repeat attendance for screening. This article focuses on issues concerning ethnicity, language, advocacy and racism.