Communities Against Cancer, a project delivered by local charity Action Hampshire has recruited 17 volunteers to encourage marginalised communities take control of their health.
Breaking down barriers
Some communities see cancer as a taboo subject and prefer not to speak about it or get their signs and symptoms checked by a medical professional. For others there may be language or cultural barriers preventing them from accessing cancer information or attending screenings.
Champions rooted in their communities
Action Hampshire has deployed a team of Health Champions with an in-depth understanding of the communities they work in. Some may also have lived experience of cancer. The champions offer trusted support and are skilled at starting conversations around cancer, a subject which many find difficult to talk about.
Caroline Diamond is Project Manager for StoneCrabs‘ Out On An Island project. She is being trained as a Health Champion for the Isle of Wight’s LGBTQ+ community.
Her role is to encourage the community to talk about cancer, early detection, prevention and support. She explains that the LGBTQ+ community, “doesn’t always have a good relationship with medical professionals due to bad experiences in the past such as misgendering and heteronormative assumptions.”
A personal connection to the cause
Encouraging early diagnosis and supporting people through cancer is particularly significant for Caroline as in 2025 she was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma.
With May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the island being a spot for sunseekers she is committed to spreading the word about this disease and has developed her own support group Melanoma Isle of Wight | Ryde | Facebook
Project Lead for Communities Against Cancer, Kishor Patel said,
“Our Health Champions are an incredible team of individuals who understand their communities’ needs.
“They deliver cancer awareness sensitively and with compassion.
“If we can encourage people to look after their health and get signs and symptoms checked early, outcomes are often better.”
Seven years of impact
Action Hampshire’s cancer project is now in its seventh year and alongside its partner Wessex Cancer Alliance continues to make an impact in raising awareness of the disease in Hampshire, IW and Dorset.
Get involved
If you would like to find out more about how to become a Health Champion or if there are any Health Champions in your community, please visit Communities Against Cancer – Action Hampshire
News shared by Caroline on behalf of Action Hampshire. Ed
