A NEW health campaign is tackling cancer in overlooked communities.
Launched by BHA for Equality and the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance, the campaign focuses on raising awareness of anal cancer among people living with HIV and aims to address health inequalities affecting Black communities.
It highlights that people living with HIV are at higher risk of anal cancer - a rare disease that generally affects around 1,500 people each year in the UK but occurs 19 times more frequently in those living with HIV.
The campaign also draws attention to the fact that Black communities are often diagnosed at later stages, which makes treatment harder.
At the centre of the initiative is the Break the Taboo: HIV & Anal Health podcast, featuring community advocate Jide Macaulay and Dr Olu Obadina.
The podcast aims to open up conversations about anal health, address cultural barriers, and promote early detection.
The campaign aligns closely with priorities outlined in the national HIV Action Plan for England, particularly around tackling health inequalities, stigma, and engagement barriers faced by Black communities.
BHA for Equality, which operates in regions including Greater Manchester and Liverpool, provides HIV prevention and testing services as part of the PaSH partnership.
The campaign encourages anyone experiencing symptoms such as bleeding, unexplained discharge, persistent itching or pain, or new lumps around the anus to contact their GP, HIV clinic, or sexual health service without delay.
Early tests can make all the difference.
Testing may include a physical examination or a simple home test, such as the faecal immunochemical test (FIT), which detects tiny amounts of blood in stool.
FIT kits are available at HIV and sexual health clinics across Cheshire and Merseyside.
The campaign also promotes the HPV vaccine as an effective preventive measure.
The vaccine is recommended for people living with HIV, men under 45 who have sex with men, trans men and women at similar risk, and sex workers.
Support groups are available, including the Bottom Line online community for those affected by anal cancer and the Calabash project for African men living with HIV.