Accessing cancer services in North West England: the Chinese population

Abstract

Relatively few Chinese patients access tertiary cancer services in North West England. We investigated the reasons behind this using a culturally sensitive questionnaire. The questionnaire, completed by 214 Chinese people in English, Cantonese or Mandarin, evaluated the Chinese population's access and satisfaction with primary care, understanding of cancer and awareness of local cancer services. Ninety-five per cent of respondents were registered with a general practitioner (GP) and 75% had accessed primary care in the last year. Satisfaction with GP consultations was high but a third of respondents reported a lack of confidence in local National Health Service (NHS) services. Only 57% of eligible women had attended cervical screening programmes. The overall understanding of the causes and treatment of cancer and cancer services in the North West was poor. Despite registration with primary healthcare, the Chinese population under-utilise cancer prevention programmes and tertiary cancer services because of a lack of awareness and understanding of cancer services in the North West. A significant proportion of the population is dissatisfied with the perceived slow service and lack confidence in services, with 41% considering using healthcare abroad. These data highlight the critical need to engage with, educate and support the Chinese population if they are to access NHS cancer services.

Building Asian Women Cancer Support Group

“…However, Chinese people who dwell in China town were less likely to have yearly check-ups than Chinese people who live outside of Chinatown [22]. Among Chinese community, even if they get health insurance, they might not use it, Chinese women who live in China town, under the patriarchal tradition, may not want to be seen by doctors to start with, not alone getting detected of domestic violence [23]. In another words, Chinese women who dwell in big cities should get their health insurance and check-ups and start lives out of Chinese community.…”

“…This phenomenon prevails all over the world. A survey done in North West England showed that Chinese people underused screening www.opastonline.com programs and tertiary cancer services even if they have medical insurances [23].…”

“…Chinese people underused the cancer prevention programs and tertiary cancer services because of lack of awareness and the knowledge of cancer services in North West England, and generally decreased their quality of life. 41% of the respondents consider medical care abroad [23]. In fact, Chinese medical care is not as good as that of US.…”

Occupational stress, survivorship issues and key themes in this issue: occupational stress, survivorship interventions, cancer in Chinese populations

“…Conway et al . (; pp. 570–581) examine patterns of accessing services in the North West of England and describe some important patterns relating to this significant sub‐group of the population.…”

“…An increase in research investigating psychosocial concerns is also evident (Chambers et al 2013b). Conway et al (2014;pp. 570-581) examine patterns of accessing services in the North West of England and describe some important patterns relating to this significant sub-group of the population.…”