Examining the inequalities in cancer screening, prevention and service engagement between minority ethnic groups in the UK

More people in the UK are living with cancer than ever before. With an increasingly ethnically diverse population, greater emphasis must be placed on understanding factors influencing cancer out comes. This review seeks to explore UK-specific variations in engagement with cancer services in minority ethnic groups and describe successful interventions. We wish to highlight that despite improvement to engagement and education strategies, inequalities still persist and work to improve cancer outcomes across our communities still needs to be prioritised. There are many reasons why cancer healthcare inequities exist for minority communities, reported on a spectrum ranging from cultural beliefs and awareness, through to racism. Strategies that successfully enhanced engagement included language support; culturally-sensitive reminders; community based health workers; targeted outreach. Focussing on the diverse city of Leicester we describe how healthcare providers, researchers and community champions have worked collectively, delivering targeted community-based strategies to improve awareness and access to cancer services