The Federation of Irish Societies recently teamed up with the National Cancer Action Team to create an Irish-specific health supplement tackling the issue of cancer within the community. The NCAT have been creating health supplements for other ethnic minorities, under the ‘Cancer Does Not Discriminate’ Campaign. 

Read the supplement here (Flash required) or click on the link at the end of the article

The main aim of the supplement is to ensure that everyone in the Irish community in Britain is well-informed about cancer and the benefits of early screening. The Irish have the highest mortality rate relating to cancer than any other community group in the UK, primarily due to late engagement with screening services. The Federation of Irish Societies is committed in raising the issue of health and wellbeing within the Irish community in Britain. By working closely with NCAT, we hope that our health supplement reaches as many people as possible.

The supplement provides the facts on different types of cancer. It contains straightforward information on how and where to seek advice or treatment. Too often, we are frightened by the prospect of cancer, and are not willing to attend the doctor to address these fears. The supplement’s direct nature highlights the message that no matter how worried or embarrassed you may feel about seeking medical advice, it is essential to get checked out as soon as possible.

Dr Ivan Fisher, Dr Mary Tilki and Hilda McCafferty (Photo: Louise Jefferson)

The supplement includes personal stories of cancer survivors, ways to protect and prevent the risk of cancer and how to get in touch with the relevant professionals to seek treatment. It tackles some common myths around cancer, with special sections dedicated to specific cancers most common within the Irish community such as lung, breast, prostate, bowel and skin cancer.

The Health Supplement had been developed to coincide with the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, and supplements have been sent out to all our member organisations across the country for dissemination. We also had a presence in St. Patrick’s Day events across the country. 

Liam Harbison, CEO of Paralympics Ireland (Photo: Alex Coley).

Our FIS teams at the London, Leeds and Birmingham St. Patrick’s Day festivities had been particularly busy in ensuring that copies were handed out right throughout the day, encouraging people to read the supplement and pass onto friends. We received a very positive response from the crowds at all events, a testimony as to how important and serious the issue is for our community here in Britain. We will continue to distribute the health supplements at several key events over the coming months.

We are keen on getting Irish  organisations that support the Irish community to actively distribute copies to their members and at future events, helping us get the message about cancer across to a wider profile of people across Britain. So if you are interested in reading the supplement online click here. Alternatively you can request FREE printed  copies of the supplement by emailing Charlotte Curran at ccurran@irishinbritain.org.

Dr. Elizabeth Orton distributing the supplement in Nottingham for St. Patrick's Day 2012 (Photo: Gerry Molumby).