THE Bradford-based Yorkshire Asian Business Association (YABA) is supporting a cancer charity in a bid to raise awareness of cancer-related problems in Asian communities across the district.

The association, based on Bolling Road, has announced Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR) as its charity of the year for 2015, to help overcome barriers currently preventing improved outcomes for Asian cancer patients.

A YCR spokesman said evidence existed to show that Asian communities were less likely to access effective palliative care and hospice services than many other groups in society.

Nearly five per cent of Yorkshire's population are said to be of Asian origin, a third of which are residents of the Bradford City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

"In Bradford, participation rates in national screening programmes for breast, cervical, and bowel cancers are among the lowest not only in Yorkshire, but also in England," said the spokesman.

"In 2014, the average percentage of eligible women aged 50 to 70 years in Yorkshire who had attended breast screening services within the last three years was 71.8 per cent, slightly lower than the UK average of 72.2 per cent.

"The attendance in Bradford City CCG and Bradford Districts CCG was significantly lower at 54.7 per cent and 64.4 per cent respectively, the lowest rates in Yorkshire."

YCR also state there are higher rates of diagnosis within Asian communities of 'emergency presentation', which includes admissions via accident and emergency departments, and emergency GP and consultant referrals.

The YCR spokesman said: "Emergency presentation often means the cancer is diagnosed at a late stage, when it is more difficult to treat.

"Between 2006 and 2010 rates for emergency presentations of lung cancer were higher in Bradford City CCG at 23.3 people per 100,000 population than in England, 16.6, and Yorkshire 21.1."

Charles Rowett, chief executive officer at YCR, a partner in the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal, said he looked forward to a "long and successful relationship" with YABA.

"Research funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research could be of enormous value in making sure that young Asians are far more aware of the risks, more willing to participate in screening programmes, and more likely to act on symptoms at the earliest possible stage so that they can receive the very best and most effective treatment, care and support," he said.

"As well as the evident problems that exist, there are also positive indicators and opportunities where Yorkshire Cancer Research can make a significant difference.

"In the Bradford City area, with a 75 per cent Asian population and an age profile considerably lower than the rest of the county, we are not yet seeing the same levels of age-related diseases such as breast, cervical, ovarian and prostate cancers."

Ajaz Ahmed, president of YABA, said: "Selecting Yorkshire Cancer Research as our chosen charity for 2015 is an important relationship for us.

"The Asian community needs to know more about how Yorkshire Cancer Research can provide knowledge of their services and support on how to avoid or to survive and cope with cancer.

"YABA will be using this partnership as an opportunity to link Yorkshire Cancer Research to key members of the community, so that the dialogue and community activity and engagement continues."