Improving communication during breast screening

What’s the title of the study?

Building the Bridge: Improving Communication During NHS Breast Screening

What’s the project about?

Breast screening is an important part of breast cancer prevention and early detection. But not all women experience screening in the same way. Previous research has explored barriers to breast screening among Black women. However, much less is known about their experiences of screening itself.

Researchers are planning a study into Black women’s experiences of communication during screening. They especially want to understand how the way healthcare professionals explain information or ask questions can affect women’s feelings of trust, comfort, dignity or understanding.

The researchers hope that their research will help them develop guidance for healthcare professionals to help them effectively communicate in a culturally appropriate way. They wany to hear from Black African and Caribbean women about their experiences, and about their views on this study, to help them shape the research design.

Who’s organising it?

Name of project lead: Uzo Nkwonta

Job title: Senior Mammographer

Organisation: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust / Sussex Breast Screening Service

Email address: uzoamaka.nkwonta@nhs.net

Phone number: 07894 125 067

Who can take part?

You can take part if you

• Are a women over 50

• Identify as Black African or Black Caribbean

• Have had at least 1 NHS breast screening appointment

Why do you want me to be involved?

By sharing your views, you can help the researchers understand what matters most to women during breast screening, and ensure that the research reflects women’s real experiences. This will help them develop communication guidance that will help both healthcare professionals and Black African and Caribbean women have a positive experience of breast screening.

What will you ask me to do?

The researchers would like you to join an informal online interview about the proposed research. It could also be over the phone or in person, where appropriate. The interview will take about 60–90 minutes and will be at a time that works for you.

The researchers will explain the research and ask for your views about:

• Whether the research topic is important and relevant

• What good communication during breast screening looks and feels like

• What aspects of communication should be explored

• Whether the proposed research methods feel appropriate

• Any cultural, religious, language, privacy, dignity or trust considerations that should be considered

• What would make communication guidance useful to women and mammographers.

You don’t have to share any information that you do not want to discuss. There may be opportunities for further involvement in the development of the research and its communication framework if you are interested.

How do I get involved?

If you’d like to take part, or have any questions, please contact Uzo by emailing uzoamaka.nkwonta@nhs.net, or by calling 07894 125 067.

When’s the deadline?

31 October 2026