Amy and Naren hear three perspectives on how ethnicity can affect breast cancer diagnosis and the need for greater community awareness, cultural sensitivity, and equitable care for all.

Journalist Satnam Rana-Grindley caught her breast cancer at a very early stage, but says cancer is a taboo subject for many in South Asian communities. Meanwhile, consultant medical oncologist, Dr Olubokola Ayodele, says black women are "four times likely to die from the disease" due to late presentation and aggressive subtypes like triple-negative cancer. She highlights systemic bias and the need for inclusive screening programmes. 

Helena Boyce runs Youbuntu, which delivers workshops on diversity and inclusion. She talks to Amy and Naren about her three cancer diagnoses and the discrimination she faced within the health system as a black woman, including being offered a "pink prosthesis" after a mastectomy. 

01:09 Introduction to Satnam Rana-Grindley

01:31 The importance of self-examination

04:51 Cultural taboos and family reactions

06:39 Improving breast cancer awareness in South Asian communities

10:22 Health disparities in black and minority ethnic communities

21:19 Challenges in clinical trials and treatment acceptance

28:43 Helena Boyce on her multiple cancer diagnoses 

32:47 Helena Boyce on discrimination and advocacy