ASIAN women in Redditch are not attending breast screening appointments or clinics, a recent health report has revealed.

Redditch Primary Care Group reported the problem in an update on its health improvement programme for ethnic minority groups in the town.

And the news has prompted an investigation by the All Women's House in Smallwood, which helps educate, support and help women from all ethnic backgrounds.

Chairman of the All Women's House, Betty Passingham, said: "We are advertising it amongst the people who come down to the All Women's House to try to get them to go for screening. We need to make sure women realise the necessity of having it done.

"We are also looking at having somebody actually coming in to the All Women's House to carry out the breast screening."

Mrs Passingham said because the women didn't go for screening there were no figures available to see the actual incidents of breast cancer among Asians.

She added: "We do not know why Asian women don't go for breast screening. But we need to find out.

"We are setting up a questionnaire at the moment to ask people about various things from health to housing and this issue will be included in that."

The All Women's House and Redditch Community Relations Council has also announced plans to introduce a health liaison worker for ethnic minority women.

Mrs Passingham said: "We have been given £4,000 from Nationwide Building Society but we are hoping to get funding from other sources as well. If we can get another £8,000 it will cover a part time post for year.

''And if it proves to be successful, we'll probably have more funding for the next year."