Name of research project
Play Domino: Talk Prostate
What is the project?
Latest figures from Prostate Cancer UK suggest that in the UK, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. However, this figure is double for black men, who have a one in four chance of being diagnosed in their lifetime.
With these high prevalence figures in mind and years of engaging in various community-focused projects, domino was identified as a cultural game which could be used as a vehicle to enhance the delivery of serious messages relating to prostate cancer.
To aid this, a series of events, programmes and high-profile campaigns have been held to help raise awareness of prostate cancer among groups of black and minority ethnic men.
Some of the ideas used to promote awareness included:
- Celebrity endorsement – comedian Sir Lenny Henry CBE, singer Billy Ocean, West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle and professional TV quizzer, Shaun ‘The Dark Destroyer’ Wallace have all participated in YouTube videos supporting the campaign and urging black men to be screened.
- Play Domino Talk Prostate – it was identified that African Caribbean men enjoy playing domino so an event was held to appeal to that community. The weekly sessions attracted men who took part in the games, during which they were also encouraged to talk about their health.
- Toolkit – it was developed to assist community champions and organisations help raise awareness of prostate cancer among African and African-Caribbean men. It featured various sections, such as advice on how to host awareness events to understanding the population.
- The Domino Effect – was a comic book and a series of animations created for the target audience. The comic was available in digital and print versions on request. The content helped to allay any fears associated with the diagnostic tests associated with screening the prostate. It also shared the personal experiences of a young father called Barrington who lost his life to the disease as well as those who are survivors. The cartoons contained authentic Patois dialogue to engage with African Caribbean men.
What is the aim?
Awareness of the rise in cancer rates in ethnic minority groups amongst communities and clinicians is often poor, resulting in lower screening uptake rates and later diagnoses. By promoting awareness the project has helped increase awareness and earlier presentation at the GP.
The Play Domino Talk Prostate has ensured more men from the ethnic minority communities are getting screened for the condition.
Who is involved?
- The Centre for Ethnic Health Research
- ARC East Midlands
- University of Leicester
- Genomics England
- ProstAID
- National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline
- Stacie-Licious Cakes
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
What are the benefits?
By increasing awareness, black men who have been targeted in the campaign say they feel more confident talking about their health and understand more about the process involved in screening and testing for prostate cancer.
The more men who are screened, the higher the chance that prostate issues can be picked up earlier and therefore treatment can be sought.
Contact
Shavez Jeffers
Useful Links
Raising Awareness of Prostate Cancer among Ethnic Minority Men
Lenny Henry on Prostate Cancer