PRESS RELEASE: 1 February 2019
Three organisations have joined forces to tackle this issue through a nationwide awareness campaign. The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA), in cooperation with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), will be conducting a series of talks this February in community centres, mosques, and local radio stations, to get the word out on the importance of timely cancer screening.
Last year’s campaign saw over 30 talks held around the country, and this year BIMA is aiming to increase the reach of this campaign to benefit even more people.
Institutions are invited to book a BIMA speaker to deliver these talks at their local venues, free of charge
Dr Arshad Latif from the BIMA Health Promotion Campaign says, “There is evidence that suggests cancer screening uptake in Muslim communities is worryingly low, yet we know cancer incidence is on the rise. It’s vital that we encourage our communities to take proactive steps to protect their health, explore reasons for low engagement, and address any concerns they have around the screening tests and process.”
These events are especially important for women, who form the majority of people affected by the three cancers that form the current NHS cancer screening programme: namely bowel, breast, and cervical cancers.
Harun Khan, Secretary General of the MCB, says, “The Muslim Council of Britain is delighted to support BIMA and CRUK in this important project. Making healthcare services more accessible to our communities is a role we take very seriously, and with recent studies showing one in four people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, catching it early is essential to improving survival rates. We encourage all of our affiliates to take advantage of this programme and book a speaker today.”
For further information, images or interviews, please contact healthpromotion@britishima.org.
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Notes to Editors:
1.The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK’s largest Muslim umbrella body with over 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques,
charities and schools. Visit www.mcb.org.uk for more information.
2. The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) is a democratic, national organisation that aims to unite, inspire and serve Muslim healthcare professionals in the UK. Visit www.britishima.org for further information.
3. For further information please contact:
The Muslim Council of Britain
PO Box 57330
London
E1 2WJ
Tel: 0845 26 26 786
Fax: 0207 247 7079
media@mcb.org.uk