By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
An affluent London borough has the lowest screening rates in England for some types of cancer, with the NHS partially blaming second homeowners.
A report by NHS England shows Kensington and Chelsea ranked last in the nation for breast cancer and cervical cancer screening rates and second last for bowel cancer checks in 2024.
Between 2023 and 2024, the borough’s average breast cancer screening rate for 53 to 70-year-olds was 46 per cent, a staggering 16 per cent lower than the London average of 61 per cent, and 24 per cent lower than the England average of 69 per cent.
The borough’s bowel cancer and cervical cancer fared only slightly better. During the same period, average screening rates for cervical cancer lagged behind the London-wide rate by 15 per cent in 25 to 49-year-olds and 50 to 64-year-olds.
The West London borough ranked second worst in the country for bowel screenings, 18 per cent lower than the England average, the data shows.
In fact, Kensington and Chelsea’s breast screening coverage rate fell 10 per cent between 2019 and 2024 and had dipped to a 14-year low of 34 per cent in 2023.
The report on cancer screening outcomes said areas that are ethnically diverse and deprived tend to have lower coverage rates. Kensington and Chelsea appears to have bucked that trend.
The report found Black and Black British groups had the highest cervical screening coverage in Kensington and Chelsea. People who do not speak English as a first language also had higher cervical screening coverage than first language English speakers.
The report said: “RBKC, despite being relatively affluent, has the lowest coverage rates in England.
“This is partly attributable to population mobility resulting in GP list inflation, incorrect addresses on GP systems resulting in missed screening invitations, higher rates of private healthcare, higher than average proportion of residences being second homes or residents spending a significant proportion of the year outside the UK.”
The council said it is working with partners like the NHS’ Cancer Alliance to improve outcomes for residents in the borough.
This includes extending appointment hours, providing digital bookings, accessible screen information in multiple languages and creating pan-London breast and bowel screening call centres for queries and appointments.
It will also start sending text reminders and run social media campaigns to raise awareness. The report read: “NHS England London has committed to eliminating cervical cancer by 2040 through improving cervical cancer screening and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination rates. The region, in partnership with alliances, will introduce cervical self-screening in selected practices in 2025.”
All Covid-related backlogs were cleared in 2022 and 2023. Kensington and Chelsea councillors will discuss the findings during a meeting on Tuesday, April 29.
(Picture: Jarmoluk/Pixabay)
