Ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland report delays in cancer diagnosis due to language and cultural barriers

People from ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland report delays in cancer diagnosis due to language and cultural barriers that would hinder access to treatment. This call, launched by iAssist-NI, an organisation that supports ethnic communities, sheds a disturbing light on the inequalities in the health system.

Late diagnosis, future compromise

Suha Ahmed, a 35-year-old Sudanese refugee, is just one of many examples of how these delays can have devastating consequences. After nine months of suffering and repeated requests for medical visits, she was diagnosed with advanced metastatic cancer. ‘ When I finally got a visit, the cancer had spread and it was too late,’ she said with bitterness. The story of Suha is unfortunately emblematic of a larger situation. Many patients of foreign origin report that they have not been taken seriously by doctors, that they have had difficulty in being understood and that they have been diagnosed late, with serious repercussions on their health.

Language and cultural barriers

Language barriers are one of the main obstacles to access to care. Patients often do not fully understand the doctors’ explanations and are unable to communicate their symptoms effectively. This can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
Cultural differences can also affect the patient experience. Different cultures have different conceptions of health and disease, which can lead to misunderstandings between patients and healthcare workers. Some patients may also be reluctant to express their needs or ask for clarification for fear of appearing rude or ignorant.

The consequences

Delays in the diagnosis of cancer can have devastating consequences for patients’ health. Cancer diagnosed early is more likely to be treated successfully. In contrast, a cancer diagnosed at an advanced stage is more difficult to treat and has a less favourable prognosis.

The requests of iAssist-NI

iAssist-NI calls on the Department of Health to take urgent action to address this issue. In particular, the organisation requests:

• An increase in the number of qualified interpreters: It is essential to ensure that there are competent and available interpreters in all healthcare facilities, who can assist patients in their mother tongue
• Increased awareness of health care workers: Doctors, nurses and all healthcare staff need to be trained to interact with patients from different cultures and to recognise language and cultural barriers
• Dedicated care pathways: It is important to create specific care pathways for foreign patients, taking into account their linguistic and cultural needs

The Department of Health’s reactions

The Department of Health has acknowledged the problem and said it has invested significant resources to improve access to care for people from ethnic minorities. However, data collected by iAssist-NI suggests that further efforts are still needed.

Sources and images

• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5xnv0zlqgo
• Photo by rawpixel.com: https://pxhere.com/it/photo/1449307