Cancer disparities in diagnosis and care exist between people from different backgrounds in the UK. When it comes to living with cancer - no one’s story is the same.
Cancer Equals is a campaign launched by Bristol Myers Squibb, to understand and help address the many factors that lead to delays in cancer diagnosis and variations in cancer experiences between people from different backgrounds.
Cancer Equals research shows that people from minority ethnic groups experience seven months longer delays between noticing cancer symptoms and diagnosis compared to white individuals.
Many factors lead to these delays in diagnosis and differences in people’s experience of cancer – no one’s story is the same.
Delays to diagnosis will and do impact prognosis, changing the course of peoples’ lives.
Health disparities and inequalities are an ongoing and pressing issue, with the UK government, NHS and patient groups committed to increasing earlier diagnosis and improving outcomes for people living with cancer.
Cancer Equals is committed to understanding and tackling the true causes of disparities and inequalities in cancer care.
Unacceptable delays in cancer diagnosis and differences in cancer experience must be addressed.
There is no time to wait.
Download the 1,000 voices, not 1 report to learn more about the causes and impact of cancer disparities by ethnicity and socioeconomic status through real stories and survey data.
Download
No one's story is the same.
Meet some of the real voices from our research as they share their experiences of cancer in the UK.
Nusrat, CEO of British Asian Cancer Charity, supported her cousin during her breast cancer journey
Simeon was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 49
Alice was diagnosed with bowel cancer at age 42
Precious was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia at age 33
Belinda was diagnosed with stomach cancer at age 66
What we can do
Cancer Equals is shining a light on individual stories and the real voices behind the data to further understanding of the factors that lead to differences in cancer experience.
Tackling these health inequalities requires the coordinated effort of multiple people and groups coming together to find solutions.
Convening experts to find solutions
In July and October 2025, Bristol Myers Squibb hosted the Cancer Equals Coalition meetings, bringing together patient advocates, researchers, and healthcare professionals from across the UK cancer care pathway.
These sessions focused on collaborating with experienced health stakeholders to break down barriers, identify further areas of unmet need, and find possible solutions that enable underserved populations to access cancer diagnosis and care. Coalition members explored key problem areas to discuss how we can collaborate and develop solutions to the challenges uncovered by the Cancer Equals research and '1,000 voices, not 1' report.
The ideas generated are being refined to address the problems identified, and we will be developing this further throughout 2026.
Further support.
It’s important to speak to a GP if someone experiences any symptoms associated with cancer so they can be properly investigated. Finding cancer earlier can improve health outcomes.
The NHS website provides an overview of the signs and symptoms of cancer to be aware of.
Learn more >
Support services also exist to help local communities start to address some of the systemic barriers highlighted in the research.
Shine Cancer Support is a UK organisation that supports adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have experienced a cancer diagnosis.
Cancer Care Map is a simple, online resource that can help you find cancer support services wherever you are in the UK. Cancer Care Map is run by The Richard Dimbleby Cancer Fund charity.
The British Asian Cancer Charity (BACC) is a national, registered not-for-profit working to close the cancer care gap for underrepresented communities - with a particular focus on British Asians across England.
When it comes to living with cancer - no one's story is the same.
ONC-GB-2600072
Date of preparation: April 2026