Abstract
Background: There are well-documented differences in cancer survival between people from low and high-income areas but despite initiatives to improve mortality these inequities prevail (1). By capitalising on the assets of those living within lower-income communities, healthcare inequities may be reduced (2). Macmillan Cancer Support, a national cancer charity, has partnered with local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations in the United Kingdom to reduce the drivers of inequity in cancer care specifically relating to knowledge of cancer, equitable experiences, timely diagnosis and access to treatment (3).
In Plymouth, a low-income city in the South-West of England, cancer mortality rates are significantly higher than the national average (4). Here, Macmillan has partnered with Zebra (a Plymouth community collective working toward social and environmental justice), Age UK Plymouth (a charity working in the community to support individuals over 50), and The Wolseley Trust (a Community Development Trust fostering community involvement including social prescribing), as well as local General Practice (GP) surgeries to explore an asset-based community development approach to tackle cancer care inequity in low-income areas of Plymouth (5,6,7).
Approach: The project launched in Summer 2023, and the project team was recruited by April 2024. To date they have hosted seven community cancer awareness and support events to address these inequities through community-led approaches.
The Principal Investigator (PI) is a General Practitioner in training, with Zebra they are taking an embedded ethnographic action-research approach to explore how the PCCP influences Plymouth communities’ engagement with cancer services. The University of Plymouth has ethically approved this project.
Twelve PCCP stakeholders have been recruited as participants. Data from naturally occurring events such as meetings, cancer awareness events, and participant reflective logs have been collected, and focus groups will be facilitated in late 2024. The PI has delivered training on cancer, health equity and primary care.
Results and implications: The PCCP has begun to unearth barriers to cancer care for local people facing mental health issues, financial difficulties, substance dependence, homelessness, as well as those from minority groups. Following decades of community work, Zebra’s longstanding relationship with their community has enabled them to engage with local citizens in a rapid yet deep manner alongside the PCCP partners. Zebra is acting as a web, connecting healthcare providers, community resources, and citizens, forming a network to address cancer inequities and foster deeper community connection through meaningful engagement via an asset-based community development approach.
References
1.Baker, C., Mansfield, Z. Cancer statistics for England. 2023. London: House of Commons Library.
2.Edwards-Smith, L., Hayes, J. (2023). Community Asset Network - addressing Disparities in Outcomes. Available at: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/primarycare/public-health/devon-community-assets-research-collaborative. (Accessed 23rd September 2024).
3.Macmillan Community Cancer Champions. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/donate/philanthropy/our-funding-priorities/macmillan-community-cancer-champions. (Accessed 23rd September 2024).
4.Office for Health Improvements and Disparities. (2021). Health Profile of the South-West of England 2021. Available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-profiles-for-english-regions-2021. (Accessed 19th January 2024).
5.Zebra. Available at: https://www.zebra.coop/. (Accessed 23rd September 2024).
6.Age UK Plymouth. Available at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/plymouth/. (Accessed 23rd September 2024).
7.Wolseley Trust. Available at: https://www.wolseley-trust.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=24. (Accessed 23rd September 2024).