‘Unseen Unheard’: The untold breast cancer stories of underserved Black women in the UK
By Melville Nyatondo, Cancer Sciences PhD Student and Science Communication Ambassador
On 14th May 2025, Unseen Unheard, a powerful new play written by Naomi Denny and co-directed by Simon Frederick and Suzann McLean, made its debut at The Lowry in Manchester.
This poignant production delves into the real-life experiences of six Black women with breast cancer, drawing inspiration from members of Black Women Rising – a charity founded by Leanne Pero MBE in 2019 to support Black women navigating cancer diagnoses.
Each character’s story is unique – spanning different ages, cancer types, and stages of life. Yet they are united by a common theme: invisibility in the healthcare system. As one character painfully states, “It’s like I am already written off.” This line resonates deeply, encapsulating the systemic inequalities Black women often face across the cancer care pathway – from screening and diagnosis to treatment and survival.
Behind the Statistics: The Reality for Black Women
Despite having a lower incidence of breast cancer overall, Black women in the UK are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age, with more aggressive disease, and at later stages – resulting in a 40% higher mortality rate compared to White women.
While social and environmental factors play a major role, emerging research also points to biological and genetic contributors. Still, Black women remain critically underrepresented in cancer research, undermining the development of effective, inclusive interventions.
The Unseen Unheard organising committee on the balcony at The Lowry.
The outside of The Lowry, where the Unseen Unheard made its Manchester debut.
Beyond the Stage: A Conversation for Change
Following the screening, a panel discussion brought together researchers, clinicians, patient advocates, and charity leaders to unpack the issues raised in the play. The discussion was chaired by Leanne Pero MBE, founder and CEO of Black Women Rising, and featured:
- Paige Nunu, cancer survivor and Black Women Rising member
- Dr Binish Khatoon, qualitative methodologist, The University of Manchester
- Dr Sacha Howell, Senior Lecturer and Consultant Oncologist, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
- Marcella Turner, CEO, Can-Survive UK
- Claire Goldrick, Pathway Manager, Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance
Key themes from the discussion and audience Q&A included:
- Lowering screening ages: Advocating for earlier screenings to detect aggressive cancers prevalent among Black women.
- Dispelling cancer myths: Addressing misconceptions and cultural taboos surrounding breast cancer.
- Enhancing workforce diversity: Promoting representation within healthcare to build trust and understanding.
- Challenging research assumptions: Emphasising the need for culturally competent research methodologies.
- Community engagement: Collaborating with faith and community leaders to foster awareness and participation.
The discussion also challenged the use of terms like “hard to reach” when describing marginalised groups. Instead, panellists argued that these communities are often underserved – not due to a lack of interest, but because of institutional mistrust, cultural disconnection, and a research culture that too often excludes their voices.
Research into minoritised communities must be rooted in understanding their histories, cultures, and lived experiences. Researchers must also address the structural impacts of racism, sexism and ableism. Without this, research risks distorting realities of these communities and reinforcing inequalities, by reducing them to abstract data points, devoid of context, and ultimately failing to represent the true stories.
Dr Binish Khatoon
Quantitative researcher at The University of Manchester
A panel with researchers, clinicians, patient advocates, and charity leaders.
The panel taking part in a post-play discussion and Q&A session.
Storytelling as a Force for Equity
Unseen Unheard is more than a play – it’s a call to action. It humanises data through storytelling and reminds us of the lived realities behind the statistics.
As its UK tour continues through July 2025, the production acts as an educational tool and a powerful prompt for dialogue about equity, representation, and justice in cancer care.
It urges us – researchers, clinicians, and the public alike – to listen, reflect, and work collaboratively with communities to co-create more inclusive and effective health systems.
