New Bowel Cancer Report Launched: Spotlight on Local Challenges in Barking and Dagenham

Our new report on Barriers to Bowel Cancer Screening in Barking and Dagenham report has now been launched, shedding light on local challenges in tackling one of the UK’s most common cancers. While NHS England’s latest review highlights improvements in early diagnosis under the Long-Term Plan[1], new insights from Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham reveal critical barriers to screening uptake within the borough.

A Mixed National Picture

A national report, Delivering the Ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan: A Review of Progress on Bowel Cancer in England, [2]praises initiatives such as expanding the home test kit to those aged 50 and over. The goal is to detect bowel cancer earlier and improve survival rates across the country.

However, despite these efforts, the report acknowledges that some regions are lagging behind national screening targets, prompting further investigation and a call for more tailored, community-focused outreach.

Local Spotlight: Barking and Dagenham’s Screening Struggles

Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham undertook a local project in 2024 to explore why bowel cancer screening uptake in the borough remains significantly lower than the national average. According to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s 2022/23 Annual Director of Public Health Report, only 57.4% of eligible residents complete the screening, compared to 70.3% nationally.

Supported by the North East London Cancer Alliance, the project surveyed 336 residents to better understand the social, cultural, and practical barriers they face.

Key Findings from Barking and Dagenham

• Demographics and Engagement: Of the respondents, 46% were aged 60–74, with 21% identifying as first-generation immigrants. A majority of those surveyed had used NHS services such as GP and A&E, but many still lacked awareness of the home screening kit.

Barriers Identified:

• • Low trust in healthcare among ethnic minority communities
  • Language difficulties and limited health literacy
  • Cultural taboos around discussing cancer, especially among men
  • Misunderstandings about who the test is for—some believed it only applied to men
• Preferences for Outreach: Residents expressed a clear preference for receiving information in trusted community spaces such as religious organisations, libraries, and via social media. Many called for more culturally sensitive communication and translated materials.

Implications for Future Policy

The findings highlight a critical need to tailor health communication and services to reflect the diversity of local populations. With bowel cancer affecting 1 in 17 men and 1 in 20 women in the UK, early detection through screening is vital.

Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham has made several recommendations, including:

• Enhancing culturally competent education about bowel cancer
• Expanding outreach in non-clinical settings
• Increasing accessibility through translated materials and in-person support

A Path Forward

As the NHS continues to push for earlier diagnosis and prevention, this combined national and local analysis reinforces the importance of community-led insights in shaping effective health interventions.

Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham’s report will now inform targeted local action plans and contribute to national discussions on reducing health inequalities and improving cancer outcomes.