Deaf Community Gut Health & Bowel Cancer Workshop Report

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, yet many Deaf people continue to face barriers to information, screening, and early diagnosis. Our recent workshop in Newham aimed to change this by providing clear, accessible information about gut health and bowel cancer in British Sign Language (BSL).

The session revealed that many Deaf residents had limited knowledge of bowel cancer and screening, often due to inaccessible health materials or the absence of BSL interpreters. Some participants admitted they had never seen information on the topic before. Concerns about the complexity of the screening process and the lack of support in understanding medical information were also raised.

Encouragingly, the workshop gave participants confidence in how to use the screening kit and highlighted the importance of accessible formats, such as BSL videos, simple written materials, and digital support. Feedback made it clear: early and accessible communication is vital to saving lives.