SISTAH: Understanding and Enhancing Cancer Health Equity for Black and Mixed Black ethnic minority Women through a community participatory-based approach (CBPR) and Sistah Circles/Sister Circles.

Black and mixed Black ethnic minority women in the UK are more likely to be diagnosed with breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers at later stages, when treatment is less likely to be successful, and experience varying cancer incidence rates expected to increase.

Low symptom awareness and barriers to presentation delay diagnosis, while intersecting factors like race and disability complicate decision-making. These women face structural inequalities (transport, caregiving, and finance), contributing to late-stage diagnoses. This study aims to generate evidence for decision-making among these women, focusing on these cancers.

Using interviews and community-based focus groups with arts, yoga, and Sistah/Sister Circle methodology, the study will assess cancer awareness, identify factors affecting healthcare access, explore the influence of intersectionality on decision-making, and empower women to advocate for their care.

Collaborating with women to ensure their experiences and voices are central, the research employs community-based participatory research, involving them as researchers and co-designing outputs.

The project will create healthcare improvement recommendations, sharing findings through a podcast, publications, and a parliamentary roundtable.

Additionally, funding will support a health equity paper, academic coaching, a book on Black Women’s Health, and the re-submission of a Professor application to advance the career of a Black female academic.