#YouNeedToKnow: a co-produced womb cancer awareness campaign for Black and South Asian Communities
This week The Eve Appeal launched a joint campaign with the North East London Cancer Alliance called, You Need To Know, to raise awareness in the local Black and South Asian communities that post-menopausal bleeding can be a symptom of womb cancer.
The campaign was co-produced with women from the local area, who were keen to help save lives by sharing information on from womb cancer, the 4th most common cancer in women. This unique campaign is designed to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms, in particular that bleeding after the menopause is not normal. It also highlights the importance of getting checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
In the UK, over 9,000 people are diagnosed with womb cancer each year and cases are rising. If found at an early stage, treatment is much more likely to be effective. Spotting signs and symptoms early and getting them checked is key.
Alex Lawrence, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, Barts Health NHS Trust, explains: “What makes this campaign different is that it has been designed by members of the community themselves. The volunteers have taken part in focus groups, they appear in posters, marketing materials and on social media, and have been instrumental in getting the messaging right so that it will have a positive impact on our local communities.
Phayza Fudlalla, one of the volunteers involved from the start, says “The campaign touched my heart because I would like to see some changes and increase awareness of womb cancer. I have a family member affected by womb cancer and so this is really important to me. I would like to see more women approaching their GP immediately if they experience any of the symptoms. From my own experience, language and cultural barriers stop women in my community from approaching their GP.”
The campaign also features artwork created by three artists local to North East London who have personal connections to the communities the campaign aims to reach. Each piece of unique artwork was developed to complement one of the campaign photos and reflect womanhood and empowerment.
Athena Lamnisos, CEO, The Eve Appeal, says: “Womb cancer presents with some very literal ‘red-flag symptoms’, yet many aren’t aware that abnormal bleeding can be a sign of cancer. This campaign is brilliant at speaking from local people to local people to spread the word – get bleeding checked! Unfortunately in the UK, Black women are more likely to develop womb cancer, and Black and Asian women are more likely to get diagnosed at a later stage and therefore have worse outcomes. So we are spreading the message to try and change this, because You Need To Know.”
For more information on the You Need to Know campaign, visit https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/youneedtoknow