Consistent short term strategies and under-funding, inadequate planning and lack of support for staff is jeopardising the future of valuable cancer information and support projects for black and ethnic minorities in the UK, according to a report produced today by cancer information charity CancerBACUP. The charity is calling for such projects to be mainstreamed and for funding commitments from government and Primary Care Trusts to ensure their valuable work continues. The first national review of cancer information and support projects for BME communities revealed:

• curtailed and inadequate funding
• poor planning
• lack of support for staff

BUT

• wealth of information and expertise available
• blueprints for success provide recommendations for future projects
• cancer experiences of diverse communities documented together for first time

Against a perceived background of low uptake of cancer services by BME communities, late presentation and poor survival, cancer information charity CancerBACUP is launching Beyond the Barriers, the first comprehensive review of cancer information and support projects for black and minority ethnic communities in the UK.

The experiences of 60 such projects are reflected in the report. CancerBACUP asked 45 of these projects - those funded by the New Opportunities Fund - if future funding had been secured. Although some PCTs are still finalising their funding allocations for 2004/5, it appears that about 10 of these projects will not be able to continue when their NOF funding ceases. Another 10 are using unspent funds to extend their work for periods of up to 6 months in the hope that PCT budgets will eventually allow some support or that funds from elsewhere will become available. Several others are also waiting for a funding decision to be made by their PCT. Other projects may well be experiencing similar financial crises and some have already folded.

Beyond the Barriers summarises the experiences of the 60 projects, highlighting common barriers to communication and access to services and revealing a wealth of information and expertise achieved despite complaints about funding, poor planning and lack of support for staff. It draws on these experiences to produce a blueprint for the success of future projects.

Beyond the Barriers author Neera Deepak said: "The experiences of cancer information and support project workers in black and minority ethnic communities around the UK are reflected in this report. Their work demonstrates that a wealth of culturally sensitive information and support is now available where before there was very little, despite the challenges posed by poor planning and lack of support for staff in many cases. I hope the experiences and resources contained in this report, including the 'blueprints for success', will help others wishing to make a real difference to communities that are not currently being reached."

Beyond the Barriers also describes the factors preventing BME communities from accessing cancer services and information, lists the 76 organisations offering services to BME communities, and offers useful links and resources. Illustrating the guide are the experiences of 18 patients, professionals, carers and patient advocates from diverse communities.

The charity's website can be found at www.cancerbacup.org.uk

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