ArticleBMJ open2015
Barriers to early diagnosis of symptomatic breast cancer: a qualitative study of Black African, Black Caribbean and White British women living in the UK.
Article in BMJ open, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 36 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
36 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 59 citations in OpenAlex.
- A Systematic Review of Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening, and of Interventions Designed to Increase Participation, Among Women of Black African and Black Caribbean Descent in the UK.Psycho-oncology · 2025Pooled it
- Improving Breast Cancer Outcomes by Enhanced Activities in Early Detection and Diagnosis: An Umbrella Review and Meta-Analyses of Randomised Controlled Trials in High-Income Contexts With Universal Healthcare Coverage.Cancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer CenterPooled it
- Comprehensive Review of Breast Cancer Consequences for the Patients and Their Coping Strategies: A Systematic Review.Cancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer CenterPooled it
- Black women's decisions about participating in breast cancer screening in the UK: a qualitative study.British journal of cancer · 2026Article
- 'We know what the barriers are, but nothing changes' - Professional perspectives on promoting breast cancer screening initiatives for ethnic minority women.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion: variations in clinical and academic radiology.Insights into imaging · 2026Article
- Routes to cancer diagnosis for migrants in Denmark: a population-based nationwide cohort study.BMC cancer · 2026Article
- Barriers and facilitators of breast cancer screening services amongst black African women in high income countries: a systematic review and meta-aggregation.Discover public health · 2026Review
- Guidelines on Lifestyle Changes and Breast Cancer-where are we up to and how does this Apply to Black Women with Breast Cancer.Current oncology reports · 2025Review
- Applying the Intersectionality Lens to Understand Minority Ethnic Women's Experiences of the Breast Cancer Care Pathway in England: A Qualitative Interview Study.Psycho-oncology · 2025Article
- Behind the Screen: An Exploratory Study of Factors Influencing Breast Screening Uptake in Lancashire (UK).Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025Article
- Article
- Health inequalities in cancer care: a literature review of pathways to diagnosis in the United Kingdom.EClinicalMedicine · 2024Review
- Comparison Between Erector Spinae Plane Block versus Serratus Anterior Plane Block Regarding Analgesia and Stress Response After Modified Radical Mastectomy: Randomized Controlled Trial.Anesthesiology and pain medicine · 2024Article
- Racioethnic Disparities in Endometrial Cancer Outcomes.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- The role of knowledge, primary care and community engagement to improve breast-screening access for Pakistani women in the United Kingdom: A secondary analysis of a qualitative study.Journal of health services research & policy · 2023Article
- Relationship between ethnicity and stage at diagnosis in England: a national analysis of six cancer sites.BMJ open · 2023Article
- Article
- Adapting a breast cancer early presentation intervention for Black women: A focus group study with women of Black African and Black Caribbean descent in the United Kingdom.European journal of cancer care · 2022Article
- Ensuring equitable access to cancer care for Black patients in Canada.CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesUnderstanding barriers to early diagnosis of symptomatic breast cancer among Black African, Black Caribbean and White British women in the UK.
designIn-depth qualitative interviews using grounded theory methods to identify themes. Findings validated through focus groups.
participants94 women aged 33-91 years; 20 Black African, 20 Black Caribbean and 20 White British women diagnosed with symptomatic breast cancer were interviewed. Fourteen Black African and 20 Black Caribbean women with (n=19) and without (n=15) breast cancer participated in six focus groups.
settingEight cancer centres/hospital trusts in London (n=5), Somerset (n=1), West Midlands (n=1) and Greater Manchester (n=1) during 2012-2013.
resultsThere are important differences and similarities in barriers to early diagnosis of breast cancer between Black African, Black Caribbean and White British women in the UK. Differences were influenced by country of birth, time spent in UK and age. First generation Black African women experienced most barriers and longest delays. Second generation Black Caribbean and White British women were similar and experienced fewest barriers. Absence of pain was a barrier for Black African and Black Caribbean women. Older White British women (≥70 years) and first generation Black African and Black Caribbean women shared conservative attitudes and taboos about breast awareness. All women viewed themselves at low risk of the disease, and voiced uncertainty over breast awareness and appraising non-lump symptoms. Focus group findings validated and expanded themes identified in interviews.
conclusionsFindings challenged reporting of Black women homogenously in breast cancer research. This can mask distinctions within and between ethnic groups. Current media and health promotion messages need reframing to promote early presentation with breast symptoms. Working with communities and developing culturally appropriate materials may lessen taboos and stigma, raise awareness, increase discussion of breast cancer and promote prompt help-seeking for breast symptoms among women with low cancer awareness.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.