Increasing the Uptake of Bowel Cancer Screening in Nottingham City: A Qualitative Study

Despite a growing and significant body of research that has enabled health academics and professionals to develop better identification of, and responses to, the incidence of bowel cancer, there remain a number of gaps. In the context of this study, Nottingham faces particular challenges both in terms of higher rates of incidence (of all cancers) for men, when compared to the East Midlands. Whilst mortality rates have declined, premature mortality in Nottingham (for all cancers) is higher than the national average and higher than most comparator cities (Nottingham City Council 2010). Finally, it is now Increasing the uptake of bowel cancer screening – draft report 4 largely accepted that early deaths can be better prevented through better prevention, behavioural change and addressing structural, social and cultural health inequalities. In Nottingham, there is evidence of significant differential rates of health screening uptake with the BME population less likely to engage in bowel cancer screening. This study therefore aimed to: • Investigate the barriers to bowel cancer screening uptake amongst Nottingham’s BME communities. • Identify opportunities for increasing uptake, including drawing on good practice. The study draws on two significant phases of work: • A literature review, designed to capture and assess a wide range of evidence from academic work and ‘grey literature’ encompassing policy reports and good practice. • A participatory action research project, utilising community researchers drawn from Nottingham’s BME population to undertake qualitative fieldwork with a total 226 participants. The study was undertaken between March 2014 and May 2015.