Women from Bradford's South Asian community are being urged to help boost the “shockingly low” uptake of cancer screening.
The campaign, backed by Bradford West MP Naz Shah, aims to boost the number of women aware of the cancer screening programmes by at least 2,000 by February of next year.
The Wise Up To Cancer scheme involves The University of Bradford and Yorkshire Cancer Research working with 10 community pharmacies and two GP practices - The Ridge Medical Practice and Avicenna Medical Practice - on a research project to improve the uptake of cancer screening among South Asian women in Bradford. The work is funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport via the Tampon Tax Fund.
Professor Marcus Rattray of the University of Bradford said: “In Bradford, only 1 in 3 people take up bowel screening, just over half of women take up breast screening and only 6 in 10 of women take up cervical screening, all below the national average. The uptake rate for cancer screening among South Asian women in Bradford is particularly low.
“The project aims to understand why women are not participating in cancer screening and to do something about the shockingly low uptake of cancer screening that is putting women’s lives at risk. The project has already made good progress and now we want to take it further, to bring the benefits to even more women.”
The campaign is calling for women in the local community to volunteer and be trained as community health champions. These champions will talk with women, often in group settings, so that they become more aware of cancer screening, and feel more comfortable in taking part. In addition, the champions will talk to women about lifestyle, including diet and exercise, which are important factors in reducing the risk of cancer.
South Asian women living in Bradford can volunteer to be a community champion by visiting http://www.wutc-bradford.org/

Man, 35, Named as Victim of Fatal Enfield Pub Shooting
Full Leeds Route Revealed for 2027 Tour de France Femmes
Bradford Solicitor Filmed Allegedly Advising How to Avoid £45,000 Immigration Fine
Teen Driver Sentenced After 90mph Police Chase Through Halifax
Boy, 16, Cleared of Murdering Teenager in West London Stabbing
Girl, 10, Suffers Chemical Burns After Glitter Phone Case Leaks
Two Men Charged Following Keighley Café Break-In
£100m Drugs Gang Ringleader Ordered to Pay Back £260,000
Man Jailed for Defrauding Two Elderly Women of Over £5,000
Calderdale Named Among England's Top 25 Places for Children
West Yorkshire Police Officer Found Guilty of Rape
New Bradford Railway Station Planned at Interchange Site
Alim OnAir
Bhangra Nights
Legal Show
Remix Saturdays