A woman diagnosed with breast cancer is hoping to improve support for people living with cancer in the Asian community.

Allia Amjad, 49, from Leicester decided to take action after sharing her own experience on Instagram and being inundated with questions from strangers who felt unable to talk to family and friends about their diagnosis.

Allia, who was told she had Stage 3 aggressive breast cancer in 2019, describes cancer as being a ‘taboo’ subject in some Asian communities with many people unable to talk about it or even go to the GP with symptoms.

The support group, funded by Macmillan, will provide a safe space where women in North East Leicester can come together to talk about their cancer experience, get important information and support. 

She said: “I shared parts of my experience on Instagram and a few ladies who had cancer got in touch with me. 

"I was hearing stories about how difficult it was for them to speak about cancer and how much of a taboo subject it was in the South Asian community. One woman told me her family were not even allowed to say the word cancer. 

"When I started hearing other women’s stories, I decided I needed to do something. I had so much support from loved ones, but not everyone is so blessed. How are people supposed to get help if they can’t talk about these things?”

Allia, a former primary school teacher, had a lumpectomy and some lymph nodes removed followed by 10 months of intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

She said: “Nothing can prepare you to hear those words, you’ve got cancer.

"You always think of the worst-case scenario, that cancer is life limiting and it’s difficult to see a future. You have to take every step as it comes and just get through it. I was really grateful that I went to the GP when I did as they caught it before it spread anywhere else.”

When she finished treatment, she felt drained and wanted to talk to other women who had been through similar experiences but was unable to find a local support group.

She said: “A support group is so needed in this area. The most important things is awareness. We need to be more open when talking about cancer and encourage people to access support services. People don’t ask for support, they suffer in silence. That’s why I wanted to work with Macmillan. 

"The support group will be a place for people to come and talk about these things. It’s about breaking down barriers. It will be for anyone who’s had any kind of interaction with cancer, so could be family or friends, or someone who’s lost a family member. Because it doesn’t just affect one person, it affects their whole family.”

Nichola Sherratt, Macmillan Engagement Lead, said: “Being able to access cancer information and support is so important because a cancer diagnosis can affect so many areas of your life, from relationships to finances.

"We’re so pleased to be working with Allia to help raise awareness of the support available to people living with cancer in the South Asian community and will do whatever it takes to be there for everyone who needs us.”

The support group will run twice a month from September and will be held at Masjid At-Taqwa, North Evington, Leicester. 

For information, support or just someone to talk to, call 0808 808 00 00 Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm or visit macmillan.org.uk