Residents came together to take part in a cancer awareness project in Forest Gate earlier this month.

The Ekta Project hosted Public Health England’s Be Clear on Cancer awareness event on August 7 at the Forest Gate Learning Zone in Woodford Road.

The event aimed to raise awareness among women aged 70 and over.

Ramesh Verma OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Ekta Project said: “We were very pleased to host the Be Clear on Cancer, breast cancer awareness event.

“The breast cancer message aimed at women 70 and over is a very important message and it was a privilege to share such valuable information with our members.

“The fact that the talk was in Hindi was a bonus, often important information is lost in translation.

Sunita Shrotria, Consultant Breast Surgeon, who delivered a talk during the event, added: “Many older South Asian women perceive themselves to be at a low risk of breast cancer but breast cancer affects all women from different ethnicities.

“One of the biggest barriers for South Asian women presenting to their GP with breast cancer symptoms is they think they will be seen by a male doctor.

“That’s why it was important for me to highlight during the event that you can ask for a female doctor or nurse.”