EITI UK-Telephone Interpretation and Language Translation Services latest news 64

Translation firm helps charity cross language barrier for cancer patients

From the Yorkshire Post, 25 April 2006
Kathryn Moore

A Yorkshire-based interpreting firm has been awarded a contract with a national cancer charity to help it reach ethnic groups who do not receive all the information they need due to language barriers.

Cancerbackup – part of the Department of Health Coalition for Cancer – appointed Howden-based EITI after working with its staff to deal specifically with cancer issues.

Derryn Borley, head of Cancerbackup, said: "There is no word for cancer in some languages and family and community interpreters sometimes shield the patient from having full information. They can often come later to a diagnosis of cancer and are less likely to access palliative care services for cancer.

"EITI worked with us and have been given a list of common cancer terms and drug names."

Research has shown that people from black and minority ethnic groups, whether or not their first language is English, may be less likely to take up the offer of cancer screening.

The service works by the patient, or relative of the patient, ringing Cancerbackup on a free number which has been set up in a number of languages.

The charity will then set up a conference call with an EITI interpreter.

Carolyn Burgess, chief executive of EITI, said: "This service is available all over the UK now.

"We also provide interpreters for outreach events and match requirements carefully – for example a women's group usually requires a female interpreter. We are very proud to be part of this initiative."

All Cancerbackup services are free to cancer patients, their relatives and friends and is part of the Department of Health Coalition for Cancer Information, which aims to ensure cancer information is of a high standard and widely accessible.