Middle Eastern Women and Society organisation Cancer screening workshops presentation report – 23.09.24
We had 6 workshops for Farsi and Arabic speakers, all these workshops were about Breast, Bowle and Cervical cancer.
By these workshops they understood the different type of cancer or about what ages are in risk, what symptoms it has.
They found out this matter is very important so their knowledge has increased and they had a lot of time to have a chat with NHS professionals during the workshop or privately in break or after the workshop.
Some women are not dealing with computer all the time to find out something about cancer and they have a short time to be with their GP too so as they said they never been in a group to talk about cancer and this matter always was a taboo.
Other important thing is they found out about their body and how it works.
Our facilitators also talked to them about a healthy life style to have fruits and vegetables.
The most important thing is about cancer screen invitation letter so almost all of them decide to go for check as soon as they receive a cancer screen letter.
Before attending the workshops many women said they were frightened to communicate about cancers, because it is seen as a taboo subject. Also, they were extremely reluctant to attend a cancer screening examination.
After attending the workshops their knowledge and confidence greatly increased. They were easily able to communicate about their conditions sharing many stories amongst the other women.
By inviting cancer survivors to talk at the workshops all women service users now understand that cancer can happen to anybody.
With increased knowledge about cancer, the women now pass on this information to their relatives and friends.
The women said that the cancer screening workshops have greatly benefited all of them.

Sodabeh Gashtasebi - Senior Welfare Advisor at MEWSO