Meet the nurse tackling the stigma around breast cancer in black communities
Video report by ITV News Meridian's Penny Silvester
A nurse from Reading who lost her mother to breast cancer, has been working to change the stigma surrounding the disease, particularly in Black communities.
Lesi Nayuoh says many patients are scared of going to hospital, resulting in a late diagnosis.
She's urging women to overcome their fears.
She said: "In the case of my mum it was a taboo topic where they don't talk about it; like a curse."
"Some think you've done something wrong and you merit the disease.
"There is ignorance and some people think it is an affliction so they just hide it."
The nurse, who works at hospitals across Berkshire and Hampshire, dedicates her spare time to informing people about health topics, including breast cancer and dementia, through her Youtube channel, as well as talking at churches and community centres across Berkshire.
According to Macmillan Cancer Support, black women have significantly poorer survival from breast cancer at both one and three years since diagnosis than white women (85% compared with 91% at three years).
Further studies suggest breast cancer deaths in women born in West Africa and living in England and Wales are 30% higher than the average for England and Wales.
The UK's largest breast cancer charity, Breast Cancer Now, say there are important differences in the way that women from minority ethnic communities experience the disease compared to white women.
Chief Executive Baroness Delyth Morgan says it could be that diagnosis is often later and take-up of screening lower, and that could be about lack of awareness and language barriers
Lesi's mother was 59 when she died, leaving it too late to tell anyone about her cancer concerns. Her daughter is now urging others to speak up.
She said: "Don't be scared; cancer is treatable. It is not a death sentence so do your checks. Early detection is the key."
Ms Nayuoh says she will keeping pushing out that message to black and asian women in a bid to save lives.
Useful links and information:
KMC Foundation-Cancer Awareness Network