Investigator
Ucd Foundation
Identifying barriers and facilitators to participation in cancer screening among Irish Travellers, a minority ethnic group in Ireland, using a codesigned approach
Introduction This study sought to determine participation by eligible Irish Travellers, a minority ethnic group, in the cancer screening programmes in Ireland (bowel, breast and cervical screening) and to determine barriers/facilitators to screening. Methodology This study was co-designed with the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, Ireland. A survey questionnaire, adapted from the NCCP's 2022 National Survey on Cancer Awareness, was disseminated to Travellers via Traveller Community Health Workers (TCHWs). Results A total of 574 survey questionnaires were distributed across 12 different Primary Health Care Traveller Projects in the Republic of Ireland and 483 (84%) were returned completed; 148 (30.6%) were from men and 306 (63.1%) from women (6.3%, missing data). High proportions had ever attended breast (72.6%) and cervical (65.4%) screening. Bowel screening uptake was low in both men (12.5%) and women (19.2%). Low proportions recalled receiving an invitation to programmes. The faecal immunochemical test test used in the BowelScreen programme prompted embarrassment as a barrier in eligible men (62.5%); embarrassment was lower in women for bowel (38.5%), breast (32.9%) and cervical (30.4%) screening. Fear was the second highest barrier. The main facilitators of screening attendance were talking to TCHW and an invitation respectively, particularly in women eligible for bowel (50%; 53.8%), breast (49.3%; 50.7%) and cervical screening (47.6%; 48.2%), but lower in men (25%; 37.5%); 25% cited the family doctor as facilitator. Conclusion Travellers face barriers accessing mainstream health services; easy access to screening must be ensured . The TCHW is a key facilitator. There is a need for universal ethnic identifiers to facilitate routine monitoring of participation and outcomes for Travellers in screening.
