Raising Breast Cancer Awareness across campuses and in the local community

Breast Cancer Awareness Information Point at Charing Cross Hospital

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there have been a number of events and campaigns throughout October.

Staff from the Imperial College Healthcare Trust and the Department of Surgery and Cancer have been involved in some amazing events and activities to increase awareness around breast cancer.

On Wednesday 30th October, a very well attended Breast & Cervical Awareness Afternoon for female adults with learning disabilities and carers, took place.

The fun afternoon was organised to raise breast and cervical cancer awareness among people with learning difficulties from the  Boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea. Taking place at the Kensington Leisure Centre, the event contained fake breasts, bingo, cakes and healthcare talks.

Women with a learning disability are significantly less likely than the general population to attend breast or cervical screenings. A study by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust shows that women with learning disabilities are 45 per cent less likely to be screened for cancer compared to their counterparts without learning disabilities. 

Rifat Wahhab from Kensington and Chelsea Health Learning Disability Partnership (CLCH) hopes that the event will help increase the uptake of breast and cervical screening: “We want to listen to the real reasons why women with learning disabilities do not take up cervical and breast screening. The steps we take need to result in an increased take-up of cancer screening.”

Caroline Brazil has learning disability and lives in Kensington and Chelsea. “We need to make sure we do not have cancer. Some of us do not know about the signs. This event can teach women with learning disabilities what to look out for.”

Other awareness activities included:

• At Charing Cross Hospital an Information Point Stand was set up with materials and information about breast cancer awareness.
• Dr Victoria Harmer, Macmillan consultant nurse at Imperial College Health Care NHS Trust, gave a talk at the Harvey Nichols HQ.
• Dr Victoria Harmer has also has been made Clinical Expert Group at CoppaFeel!

Later this month, Yarrow is hosting a male cancer awareness event for men with a learning disability to find out more about testicular and prostate cancer. The event will take place on Monday 25th November at The Invention Rooms in White City. For more information or to book a place, please email events@yarrow.org.uk.