HEALTHMATTERS
28 | THE VOICE FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 5, 2014
HEALTHMATTERS
FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 5, 2014 PAGES 28-31
Lambeth gets together to boost black wellbeing
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ambeth’s black residents are being invited to take part in an event to improve wellbeing in the borough. African and Caribbean people are much more likely be diagnosed with a severe mental health illness than their neighbours of other ethnicities. In response to this challenge the council has been developing ideas with the community and the NHS to help prevent illness and improve access to more appropriate services when they are needed.
‘From surviving to thriving’ is a special event being held on March 15 to test plans and get people’s ideas. On the day local leaders will explain the work being done and people will be asked their views. The leader and chief executive of Lambeth council Lib Peck and Derrick Anderson will be speaking along with the new chief executive of the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, Matthew Patrick. Lambeth’s health and wellbeing board, which brings together the council, NHS and community rep-
resentatives, started looking at these issues following the inquest into the death of Sean Rigg, a local black mental health service-user, who died in police custody. Co-chair of the black mental health commission, established by the health and wellbeing board, Councillor Ed Davie said: ‘Black people make up 25 per cent of Lambeth’s population yet 70 per cent of the borough’s residents in secure mental health units are of African or Caribbean descent. We want to make improvements with local people so
that everyone in the borough has an equal chance to thrive.’ Fellow co-chair Jacqui Dyer, who has used mental health services herself and cared for others with mental health conditions, said: ‘This is an opportunity for Lambeth council, NHS and Lambeth’s African and black Caribbean population to together create recommendations for improving their health and wellbeing. I am delighted to be a part of this process to find positive constructive and healing ways forward together.’
Q The event takes place 10am to 3pm on March 15 in the Lambeth Assembly Hall next to the Town Hall in Brixton. The event is free and lunch is provided but please book a place by emailing: ecarter@lambeth.gov.uk
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Be clear on cancer… T
here’s no doubt that everyone knows something about ‘The Big C’ and sadly it is inevitable that most people will know at least one person in their lifetime that has had cancer. However the good news is that as research continues, new treatments are developed that are helping people to beat cancer every day. Most importantly knowing the symptoms and
women. While the reasons for this aren’t entirely clear, the most likely cause could be delays in diagnosis. Think about it for one minute… would your mother, grandmother or aunt, for example, ever openly discuss a health problem, and would she even know what signs to look for? We need to break down the barriers and start talking about breast cancer with the older women in our families. The
tients, to find out more about breast cancer… Q: What are the symptoms of breast cancer that women should be looking for? A: Most people assume that the only thing to look for is a lump in the breast, but actually the other possible signs of breast cancer that you should look for also include: s #HANGES IN THE NIPPLES s #HANGES TO THE SKIN OF YOUR
“African and Caribbean women diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK have poorer relative survival rates than white women”
MACMILLAN CANCER NURSE: Charmaine Case
early diagnosis increases the chances of surviving cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers, and surprisingly, the biggest risk factor, after gender, is age. Did you know that over 80% of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50 - and of those diagnosed, a third of them are over the age of 70? Statistics show that African and Caribbean women diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK have poorer relative survival rates than white
sooner a patient is diagnosed and treatment started, the better the chance they have of beating breast cancer… so that means women need to know what signs and symptoms to look out for, where to go and who to speak to. For more information visit: www.nhs.uk/breastcancer70 We caught up with Charmaine Case - a Macmillan Breast Clinical Nurse specialist, working on the front line with pa-
breast s #HANGES IN THE SHAPE OR SIZE of your breast s 0AIN OR TENDERNESS IN YOUR breast or armpit Q: What treatments are available? A: Treatment largely depends on the type of breast cancer the patient has. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are all used to treat these cancers. A specialist would advise of the best treatment plan. If picked up early, the treatment for women over 70 years
can be relatively straightforward. Many women won’t even need to stay overnight in hospital because surgery could take the form of a day case procedure. Q: Why do women from African and Caribbean communities delay in going to their GP? A: There are so many issues, fears and taboos that are ingrained into our culture. Some of these are based on respect and maintaining a woman’s dignity. They are also a generation that don’t like going to the doctor, they feel that talking about cancer is almost tempting fate, they don’t want to be a burden, or they simply think that things will get better in their own time. If the younger generations don’t talk to their mothers, mothers-in-law, aunts about the symptoms, then the women at greater risk will not take action. We need to change all of these attitudes, including the belief that cancer is an automatic death sentence. That is no longer the case and the fact is the sooner you go to the doctor and receive treatment, the better your chances of survival.
Meet Audrey Williams
“Here’s living proof that there is life after breast cancer” A fit and healthy mum of two grown-up sons, Audrey had no previous family history of cancer, but was quite vigilant about her health and checked her breasts regularly. It was during one of these self-examinations that she felt a hard lump under her right breast that didn’t feel normal, and went to see her GP as soon as possible. Audrey was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I was in complete disbelief,” she recalls, “It felt like the doctor was speaking to someone else, I was numb with shock and confusion.” Getting over the initial shock, Audrey was determined to fight the cancer as the doctors had advised her that the cancer was caught early and she could be treated.
Audrey was offered a mastectomy to remove the tumour and had reconstructive surgery immediately afterwards, as she was keen to get back to some normality as soon as possible. The operation was followed by a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which Audrey responded well to. Years later, Audrey has discovered a new lease of life: “I have a quality of life that I didn’t have before. It takes a life changing event to make you realise how important life is.” Audrey stresses, “It’s so important to check your breasts regularly, and if I could give one piece of advice it would be… never ignore your health, even if you have the slightest doubt or symptom, don’t ignore it go and get it checked out.”
BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR: Audrey Williams
30 | THE VOICE FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 5, 2014
HEALTHMATTERS
African and caribbean women are urged to spot the signs and symptoms of breast cancer
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ctress Dona Croll supports NHS ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer amongst black African and Caribbean women The NHS is launching a new ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ public awareness campaign highlighting the fact that the older you get, your chances of getting breast cancer increase, with one third of women diagnosed with the disease each year being aged 70 or over. Surprisingly, two thirds of
women aged 70 and over (67 per cent) wrongly think women of all ages are equally likely to get breast cancer, when in fact a woman’s risk of breast cancer increases with age. The ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign also encourages women from black African and Caribbean communities to know the signs and symptoms, talk to their daughters or daughters-in-laws and visit their doctor if they spot any changes in their breasts. With many only on the lookout for a lump in the breast,
other signs of the disease are often overlooked. The ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign pushes women to identify several lesser-known but equally important signs of the disease, including: s 0AIN IN THE BREAST OR ARMPIT s #HANGES TO THE NIPPLES SIZE or shape of the breasts Dr Yvonne Doyle, Regional Director at Public Health England, said: “Research shows that women aged over 70 have low symptom awareness and are more
likely to delay presenting to their GP with breast cancer , which could ultimately affect their chance of survival. “Added to this are the cultural taboos and embarrassment that are specifically associated with the discussion and education about breast cancer amongst older black Caribbean and African women. “Women cannot afford to ignore the statistics - one in three women who get breast cancer are over 70, so don’t assume you’re past it or dismiss any symptoms as a sign of ageing
and most importantly don’t be afraid to talk to your GP.� The campaign is urging daughters to engage older female members of their families in conversations about cancer to help detect the disease. The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the higher the chance of survival. Therefore black Caribbean and African women are encouraged to talk about the issue. The campaign has received celebrity support, with actress Dona Croll featuring in an infomercial designed for
black African and Caribbean communities. Speaking on her role in the project, Dona commented: “If losing precious lives to breast cancer can be avoided, then we must take every step necessary to prevent this. Educating women – specifically older women from our communities – on the importance of discussion and subsequently, early diagnosis is vitally important. I am keen to help spread awareness and encourage women to monitor their health more vigilantly.�
Don’t miss Be Clear On Cancer community events
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he ‘Be Clear On Cancer’ team will be attending community events, to provide advice, support and further information. The campaign encourages women from black African and Caribbean communities to know the signs and symptoms, talk to their daughters or grand-daughters and visit their doctor if they spot any changes in their breasts. Davinia Green, Breast Health Promotion Manager at Breast Cancer Care, spoke to members of the community at the first of these events at the New Testament Assembly Church in Leyton about the importance of being breast aware. She said: “We know that many older women don’t feel confident about noticing changes in their breasts. By holding community events like this and sharing information about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, we want to help women feel more comfortable about being breast aware and talking about any concerns.�
Actress Dona Croll - ambassador for Be Clear on Cancer Campaign
Be Clear On Cancer Campaign team will be at the following venues: SUNDAY 1 MARCH
SATURDAY 15 MARCH
FRIDAY 21 MARCH
SATURDAY 29 MARCH
Special women’s conference GREATER FAITH MINISTRIES Sedgehill Community Centre 69 - 85 Sedgehill Road Bellingham London SE6 3QN
Celebrate You special women’s conference NEW WINE CHURCH John Wilson Street Woolwich London SE18 6QQ
Women’s conference REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD South Wimbledon 163-171 Haydons Road Wimbledon, London SW19 8TB
Wise Women Awards TOWER GUOMAN HOTEL St Katherine’s Way London E1
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Hospice’s brave step to help African Caribbean men X AT THE LAUNCH: Hospice CEO Kate Phipps talks to Desmond Jaddoo
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TAFF at a hospice in Birmingham are taking the bold and brave step of urging people to support a groundbreaking campaign – to buy an anatomically correct model bottom to encourage men to talk about prostate cancer. John Taylor Hospice is about to launch its own crowdsharing campaign – an online way of raising funds – to buy a specially made bottom to help start conversations in communities about a cancer which affects one in four African Caribbean men. The idea for the campaign, known as Benjamin’s Brothers, began after hospice staff were so moved by the dignity of a rastafarian man who died from the disease last year. Twelve per cent of people in Birmingham have an African Caribbean or mixed race heritage, which totals 63,000 men. With one in four at risk, this equates to 16,000 males who could die from this silent killer. BELIEVE Kate Phipps, hospice CEO, said at the project launch: “We want our campaign to become a game changer in prostate cancer survivorship. We want brothers to become uncles, daughters to have grandfathers and sons to outlive their mothers by advocating for proactive monitoring. “We are not afraid to ‘think big’ or ‘think differently’ where we understand the prevalence and pattern of a disease in our community.â€? Sally Xerri-Brooks, the hospice’s director of community investment, added: “This is a campaign designed by local people for local people in Birmingham. We believe using a bottom with the look and touch of the real thing is the place to start because it means you can literally feel the difference between a normal and an enlarged prostate.â€? However, the hospice came across a problem in their campaign – anatomical bottoms are manufactured only in pink, so the crowdsharing project is underway for ÂŁ3,000 to design a black model bottom, which will come complete with differing
SIZES OF MODEL PROSTATE GLANDS Richard Viney, a consultant urological surgeon at BirmingHAM S 1UEEN %LIZABETH (OSPItal, who spoke at the launch, said: “I am so excited about the fact that this event is happening and people are talking about prostate cancer. OVERCOME “There is no reason why people in this country should die of prostate cancer today if it is identified in its early stages. It’s a crying shame when you find it too late.� He said it was the ultimate right of every man to be able to visit his GP and, if necessary, pressurise them for blood tests or a rectal examination. “Men should be able to say to their doctor – look me in the eye and tell me I haven’t got prostate cancer,� he said. HEAR ME NOW Desmond Jaddoo, director of Birmingham Empowerment Forum, who organised the ‘Hear Me Now’ seminar late last year following Rose Thompson’s report on prostate cancer rates in African Caribbean men, said: “The cultural importance we associate with our bottoms can sometimes stop us from living. “We have to overcome these barriers and take responsibility. We no longer want our lack of awareness to be an issue. We need to recognise that we have a problem and we need to get to the bottom of it. Mothers did not give birth to sons in order to bury them� Bishop Melvin Brooks, of the New Jerusalem Apostolic Church, who is a prostate cancer survivor, brought humour to the launch, saying: “If you don’t get checked you could have another man putting on your slippers in the living room of your house. “Those who think it is not cool to get checked for this cancer end up very cold indeed.� Q The hospice’s crowdsharing campaign is due to go live at the start of next month (March 3) at: www.crowdfunder.co.uk For further information on the hospice visit: www.johntaylorhospice.org.uk
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