Black in Cancer launched at Cambridge University to drive change in diversity

Sigourney Bonner, co-founder of Black in Cancer. Image - Lloyd Mann

A new initiative has been launched by a University of Cambridge scientist to drive a change in diversity and help create a cancer research sector that better represents the wider population.

Postdoctoral associate Sigourney Bonner launched Black in Cancer – with US colleague Dr Henry Henderson – while studying for a PhD at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute because black people were "underrepresented in research" and "overrepresented in cancer mortality".

Black in Cancer aims to empower the Black community around the disease and break down harmful stigma and misconceptions.

Ms Bonner said: “We want to bring Black researchers to the fore, and at the same time create a trusted, and culturally informed source of information for people who are dealing with a diagnosis of cancer”.

She added: “Black patients are sometimes not heard, and referrals to oncologists can take longer and require more GP appointments for those from ethnic minority backgrounds. There are a number of reasons why people might be less inclined to seek help, some of those can be socioeconomic factors, for example taking time off work to go to the GP and the financial impact of that, but the reasons can be complex, and both social and cultural”.

In less than four years, Black in Cancer – which recently moved its headquarters to Cancer Research UK's Cambridge Institute – has established partnerships with universities and research organisations in the UK and the US, created a conference series, developed a mentorship programme, and helped Black researchers access around £1.5m of funding.

The organisation has also worked with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) on the launch of the Black Leaders in Cancer PhD Scholarship Programme, in partnership with Cambridge University, to help develop the next generation of Black scientists in cancer research and tackle barriers to progression that Black people face in accessing Higher Education, particularly postgraduate studies.

A recent study by Cancer Research UK and NHS Digital found Black women were more likely than White women to be diagnosed with late-stage cancer, when the disease is generally harder to treat.

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