Shades of survival shines spotlight on cancer inequalities

Written by: Paul Thomas

25/09/2026

Breast cancer is not an even playing field. The 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is around 32% in Nigeria, 40% in South Africa, and 90% in high-income countries.

But even in high income countries, there is a problem:

In the US, Black women are 38% more likely to die from their breast cancer than their white counterparts.
In the UK, health inequity in breast cancer costs an estimate 2000 lives and 1.6 Billion in costs to wellbeing.

A new film, called Shades of Survival helps raise awareness, share patient experiences, and inspire the conversations and learning needed to close this gap.

Shades of Survival has already had an impact:

It was screened at the UK Houses of Parliament, sponsored by MP Dawn Butler and attended by multiple health equity and cancer leaders in the UK.
It drove a letter to the Prime Minister at No 10, calling for health equity for Black women.
It is credited with sparking an international movement for better healthcare for Black women in Africa and the UK.
It has won awards for Best Documentary and Best Director at Cambridge Film Festival, London Movie Directors’ Talent Awards, London Vision Film Festival
It was screened in top medical organisations, such as Cancer Research UK, UK Association of Breast Surgery, Cambridge University Festival, Oxford Global Health Symposium, Nigeria’s Cancer Week, and Macmillan.
A wide range of community groups have seen the film, including Manchester’s Prevent Breast Cancer community, Girl Guides of Nigeria, Women of Kaduna, and African patient groups.