1,000 voices, not 1: A report highlighting differences in cancer care in the UK (9 April 2024)

Summary

Cancer Equals is a campaign launched by Bristol Myers Squibb, to understand and help address the many factors that lead to delays in cancer diagnosis and variations in cancer experiences between people from different backgrounds.

Cancer Equals research shows that people from minority ethnic groups experience seven months longer delays between noticing cancer symptoms and diagnosis compared to white individuals.

Many factors lead to these delays in diagnosis and differences in people’s experience of cancer – no one’s story is the same.

Delays to diagnosis will and do impact prognosis, changing the course of peoples’ lives.

Health disparities and inequalities are an ongoing and pressing issue, with the UK government, NHS and patient groups committed to increasing earlier diagnosis and improving outcomes for people living with cancer.