Understanding and improving Black women’s experiences of breast cancer treatment

Cancer care should be fair, flexible, and tailored to individual needs, not one-size-fits-all. This project is focused on Black women with breast cancer.

In the UK, breast cancer is less common among Black women than White women—but the outcomes are often worse. Black women are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age, more likely to have advanced cancer when diagnosed, and are 31% less likely to survive. They are also less likely to begin or continue treatment, which can sometimes be influenced by cultural beliefs or previous negative experiences with the healthcare system.

These inequalities have been known for years, but they can’t be explained by income or access to services alone. Research shows Black women often face other barriers too—like poor communication, feeling unheard, or a lack of empathy from healthcare professionals. As a result, they may not get the full benefits of the treatment that’s available.

This study aims to listen closely to Black women’s voices and look at how treatment for cancer is delivered across different hospitals and teams. By doing so, we aim to find better ways to make cancer care more equal, respectful, and effective for everyone.

How can you support our work?

We want to hear from Black women diagnosed with breast cancer who are going through treatment. We also want to hear from your family and friends about their experiences. We’re interested to hear how your identity has shaped your experience with cancer treatment. Please add your ideas below.

If you would like to join a discussion group on this topic please email Jurga directly at [email protected].

*In this project, ‘Black women’ refers to cisgender and transgender women.