Improving participation in breast cancer screening
As 33% of breast cancer cases are detected through the national breast cancer screening programme, RM Partners is committed to increasing participation in west London.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the approach to inviting patients for screening changed, in order to manage infection control and social distancing. of the impacts of this change was the likely increase in inequalities. This is because certain groups of women are less like to have responded to the new approach to invitation i.e. where they had to ring to make the appointment on receipt of the invitation letter rather than receive a specific time/date. These groups include women who have little spare time, have poor health literacy, and for whom English is not their first language.
RM Partners commissioned a multilingual call reminder service to contact women who have not responded to their invitation. This service will explain the screening process, answer any questions where appropriate, and book an appointment for the patient. The screening service has reported that women booked for screening via this call reminder service were much better prepared for their screening and less anxious, so the appointment was a smoother process.
For more information please contact rmpartners.primarycare@nhs.net
Breast screening diary
A new breast screening diary designed with people in the South Asian community and Soh-yon Park, Design Researcher at Imperial College London. This diary offers a personalised and accessible way to track appointments, note down important information, and guide women throughout the screening process.
Though co-designed with South Asian community groups, it can be used by anyone with questions or hesitations about taking up breast screening.
This diary came out of a project led by Imperial College London and RM Partners, to better understand barriers to taking up breast screening.
After asking the community ‘how can we harness the strength of community and pass on the knowledge and awareness about breast cancer and screening to women in the community?’ the diary was collaboratively produced as a way to help address barriers and increase knowledge and awareness.
The funding for this project was made available from NHS England, through the London Breast Screening Recovery Programme, which looked to support projects to address health inequalities following the pandemic, in 2022-2023.
After a year of collaborative effort, building relationships and trust with many South Asian communities, cultural nuances, language preferences, and specific barriers to breast cancer screening for these communities was better understood. The diary was then co-designed to provide practical information and support.
The diary is available to download at the link below.