Snakes and ladders game aims to encourage breast screening

A super-size version of Snakes and Ladders is coming to Hull, Bridlington, Scunthorpe, Scarborough and York this October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, helping Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance to raise awareness of the importance of breast screening.

Developed by Emily Lunn, PhD researcher from Hull York Medical School, the game has been developed to raise awareness of the symptoms and importance of breast screening.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. Around 11,400 women die from breast cancer in the UK every year. It is the fourth biggest cancer killer in the UK, and the second biggest cause of cancer death in women.  However, 46.3% of women invited for a mammogram for the first time do not attend a screening appointment.

As part of her PhD research, Emily had been exploring the perceptions and experiences of NHS breast screening of women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Yorkshire. She developed the game as a way of representing and raising awareness of the barriers identified by the women she spoke with as part of a creative showcase of work from the TRANSFORMing Cancer Outcomes in Yorkshire programme, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Emily said: “There are many challenges people face when thinking about attending breast screening – from how will get there, to who will look after my children while I attend and the fear of the result. We also know that personal beliefs and attitudes of women who are eligible to attend and those within their family or friendship network can have an impact on whether someone attends their breast screening appointment. However, early detection and diagnosis can make a huge difference. The aim of this game is to start a conversation, while raising awareness of the importance of breast screening.”

Inspired by Emily’s presentation at the creative showcase, representatives from the Cancer Alliance worked in partnership with Emily to create a large-scale version of this innovative take on an old family favourite.

By taking part in the immersive experience and walking around the board as their own lifesize counter, people will learn about the barriers and facilitators to attending an NHS breast screening appointment via large playing cards. It’s hoped the 3 metre x 3 metre board game, taking centre stage at the Cancer Alliance’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month engagement sessions, will start life-saving conversations and address the fears surrounding breast cancer. 

Emily goes on to say, “This game is not just for women aged 50-70 who are invited for breast screening, it is for everyone. We want everyone to feel comfortable talking about breast screening openly. We also want to highlight there are ways to overcome some of the challenges, and for them to raise awareness of breast screening with the women in their own lives.”

Cancer Alliance volunteers will be on hand at the engagement sessions to discuss breast cancer, the symptoms and how to check your body for signs of the disease.

#getintouchwithyourself

The Cancer Alliance’s #getintouchwithyourself campaign runs throughout October and is aimed at women who are reluctant to attend breast screening appointments, particularly for the first time.

Visit the Cancer Alliance’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month page to find out more.

According to Yorkshire Cancer Research, approximately 30,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in Yorkshire. People are also more likely to be diagnosed and die from cancer in Yorkshire than almost anywhere else in England. Hull York Medical School researchers at the University of Hull are focused on conducting research with the aim of changing this and improving the life chances of people living with cancer in our region and beyond. The TRANSFORMing Cancer Outcomes in Yorkshire is a £4.9milion programme of research funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research which aims to tackle cancer inequalities and improve outcomes from those living with cancer. The programme brings together expertise from across the Medical School in cancer awareness, screening, diagnosis and care for those with long-term and life limiting conditions.

Visit the Medical School website to find out more about work being undertaken to tackle cancer inequalities and outcomes.