Black cancer patients in England are less likely to feel supported in hospital, charity says
Black cancer patients and people with disabilities are less likely to feel they receive adequate support when receiving treatment in hospital, according to an analysis by a leading charity.
Analysis of the 2023 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey for England by Macmillan found that 71% of black patients with cancer feel they receive adequate support for their general needs during their hospital stay, compared to the national average of 76% of patients.
Black patients were also 75% less likely to say their family or caregivers were as involved in treatment decisions as they would like, compared to 80% of white patients, according to the study.
The research also found that people with a disability or other long-term condition besides cancer were less likely to feel they received adequate support for their overall needs during their cancer treatment, with only 61% of cancer patients with autism,68% of those with a mental health condition, 69% of those with a neurological condition such as epilepsy, and 70% of those with a learning disability. This is compared to 77% of people who have no other long-term condition.
The research contributes to current inequalities in cancer care in England. Previous research has shown that ethnic minorities and young people require more GP visits than other people before being diagnosed with cancer.
Steven McIntosh, Chief Partnerships Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “These figures are further evidence of the unacceptable disparities in people’s experiences of cancer care. Who you are and where you live should not influence whether you receive the support that suits you.
“Better is possible. We welcome the Westminster Government’s recent commitment to a national cancer plan. A central goal of this plan must be to ensure equitable access to life-saving cancer care for communities currently experiencing the worst experiences.”
Saffron Hanson said of the Can You C Me project, which aims to tackle disparities in cancer care for people from minority ethnic backgrounds: “These findings highlight an urgent need for equity in cancer care, especially for Black communities who report significantly less support and involvement in treatment decisions. Through the Can You C Me project, we work closely with South London’s black and minority ethnic communities to amplify their voices, identify systemic barriers and drive meaningful change.
“Our mission is to ensure that every patient, regardless of ethnicity, receives culturally sensitive care that meets his or her needs and those of his or her family. Together we can show that better is not only possible but also essential.”
Nicola Boyd, a black British woman diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, spoke about her experience of talking to counselors and doctors about her diagnosis: “It’s so hard to stand up for yourself when you’re not sure about things mean, and if you have specific needs,” she says.
“I was fortunate that my medical team eventually got to know me and understood that I am an individual, but I still felt like I was being pressured into undergoing treatment that I was unsure of.
“I respect the NHS, but people should not have to navigate their diagnosis and treatment like a maze and raise their voices to seek answers beyond the generic ones and get a more personalized treatment plan. There simply cannot be a one size fits all approach to cancer care.”
An NHS spokesperson said: “Patients’ experience of care is incredibly important to the NHS, which is why we are commissioning the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey to help us improve services.
“While Black people with cancer and those with long-term conditions rated their overall healthcare experience nearly nine out of ten, we want to address their concerns while supporting our staff who are treating record numbers of patients.”