--- title: "Breast Cancer in South Asian Women | Breast Cancer Charity" description: "South Asian women in the UK are less likely to attend screening and more likely to present later. Understanding the barriers can save lives." url: https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-in-south-asian-women/ robots: noindex --- # Breast Cancer in South Asian Women | Breast Cancer Charity Breast health information South Asian women in the UK are less likely to attend screening and more likely to present later. Understanding the barriers can save lives. ## Quick answer South Asian women in the UK have lower breast cancer incidence than white British women — but are significantly less likely to attend screening and more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. **Your next step:** see a GP (or your doctor, if you live outside the UK) about any new breast or chest change. These guides explain general information; your care team can advise on your own situation. **Content updated:** 28 May 2026 . Independent clinical review has not yet been recorded for this page. [How we prepare health information](https://breastcancer-charity.org/editorial-policy/) · [Report an error](https://breastcancer-charity.org/corrections/) At a glance South Asian women in the UK have lower breast cancer incidence but higher late-stage diagnosis rates All NHS patients have a right to request a female radiographer for mammography Professional interpreters are available free for all NHS appointments Community-led outreach significantly increases screening uptake in South Asian communities ## Incidence and screening disparities Breast cancer incidence in South Asian women (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan heritage) is lower than in white British women. However, South Asian women are significantly less likely to attend [NHS breast screening](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-screening/) appointments, and are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage when cancer is harder to treat. ## Why screening uptake is lower - Language barriers: Invitation letters and appointment materials may not be in the relevant language - Cultural factors: Modesty concerns; some women prefer a female radiographer for the examination - Lack of awareness: Lower health literacy about [breast cancer symptoms](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-symptoms/) and the importance of screening - Fatalism: Some cultural or religious frameworks can frame illness as inevitable or not requiring medical intervention - Practical barriers: Caring responsibilities, difficulty taking time off work, transportation - Mistrust of medical services: Historical experiences of poor cross-cultural communication ## Your NHS rights All women are entitled to request a female radiographer for their [mammogram](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-screening/) — this is a legal right, not a preference that can be refused. You are also entitled to a professional interpreter free of charge for any NHS appointment. You do not need to bring a family member to translate. ## The situation in South Asia In the countries Breast Cancer Charity works in — Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia — the barriers for South Asian women in the UK are amplified a hundredfold. No routine screening programme exists. Health literacy about breast cancer is very low. Cultural barriers to disclosure are significant. And access to treatment, even when cancer is found, is severely limited by cost and geography. This is why our work matters — and why representation and community-level outreach are central to it. ## Frequently asked questions Why do South Asian women have lower breast cancer screening rates? Several barriers reduce screening uptake among South Asian women in the UK: language barriers (invitation letters may not be in the relevant language), modesty concerns (preference for a female radiographer), lower awareness of the importance of screening, practical barriers such as caring responsibilities, and in some cases mistrust of medical services. Community-led outreach that addresses these barriers directly has been shown to significantly increase uptake. Can South Asian women request a female radiographer for their mammogram? Yes. All women are legally entitled to request a female radiographer for their mammogram — this is a right, not a preference that can be refused. You are also entitled to a professional interpreter free of charge for any NHS appointment, so you do not need to bring a family member to translate. Is breast cancer less common in South Asian women? Breast cancer incidence in South Asian women (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan heritage) is lower than in white British women. However, South Asian women in the UK are significantly more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, partly due to lower screening attendance. Late-stage diagnosis is the main reason for worse outcomes — which is why closing the screening gap matters so much. ## Sources and further reading - [Cancer Research UK: breast cancer incidence statistics](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/breast-cancer/incidence-invasive) - [GOV.UK: breast screening, identifying inequalities](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/breast-screening-identifying-and-reducing-inequalities/breast-screening-identifying-inequalities) - [GOV.UK: breast screening, reducing inequalities](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/breast-screening-identifying-and-reducing-inequalities/breast-screening-reducing-inequalities) - [NHS: what happens at your breast screening appointment](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/breast-screening-mammogram/what-happens-at-your-breast-screening-appointment/) - [NHS: who breast screening is for](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/breast-screening-mammogram/who-breast-screening-is-for/) - [WHO: Global Breast Cancer Initiative](https://www.who.int/initiatives/global-breast-cancer-initiative) This content is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical guidance. Source links do not imply endorsement by the NHS or another organisation. See our [editorial policy](https://breastcancer-charity.org/editorial-policy/). ## Keep reading [Support ### Where can I get breast cancer support in the UK?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/breast-cancer-support/) [📷 ### Who should get breast cancer screening and when?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-screening/)[🎗️ ### What are the symptoms of breast cancer?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-symptoms/)[📈 ### What are the latest breast cancer statistics?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-statistics/)