Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39998387›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of cancer2025

Experiences of cancer-related stigma in Africa: A scoping review.

Judith M Mwobobia, Srishti Sardana, Dina Abouelella, Suhana Posani, Leila Ledbetter, Margaret Graton, Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters, Brandon A Knettel

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Intolerance of uncertainty and attitudes toward cancer as predictors of spiritual well-being in patients with cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Judith M MwobobiaDuke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.ORCID 0009-0006-2026-8057
Srishti SardanaBloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Dina AbouelellaDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Suhana PosaniDuke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Leila LedbetterDuke University Medical Center Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Margaret GratonDuke University Medical Center Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Nosayaba Osazuwa-PetersDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Brandon A KnettelDuke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Funding

Suicide risk detection and mitigation in patients with head and neck cancerK01DE030916 · NIDCR · DUKE UNIVERSITY · PI OSAZUWA-PETERS, NOSAYABA · 2021 to 2025
$821k
Telehealth to Reduce Suicidality and lmprove HIV Care Engagement in TanzaniaK08MH124459 · NIMH · DUKE UNIVERSITY · PI KNETTEL, BRANDON A · 2021 to 2024
$694k
Long-term Opioid Therapy, Depression and Suicide Mortality Risk in Patients with Head and Neck CancerR21DE032531 · NIDCR · DUKE UNIVERSITY · PI OSAZUWA-PETERS, NOSAYABA · 2022 to 2022
$448k
Duke Global Health InstituteNIDCR NIH HHS K01 DE030916NIDCR NIH HHS R21 DE032531NIMH NIH HHS K08 MH124459
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Cancer is a major health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where 70% of cancer deaths occur. Stigma and barriers to screening and treatment lead to poor outcomes. We conducted structured searches of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and CABI Global Health databases according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches used keywords related to (1) Africa, (2) cancer, and (3) stigma. We then screened to finalize a list of research manuscripts, dissertations, theses, and conference abstracts using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods to explore cancer stigma in Africa. This review focused on non-cervical cancers. Breast and cervical cancers have distinct stigma-related experiences due to awareness, screening, and sociocultural perceptions. Including cervical cancer risks dilutes the specificity and depth of findings. The review included 53 studies that linked stigma and cancer in Africa to physical symptoms, appearance changes, misconceptions, and emotional challenges, hindering care and worsening treatment outcomes. Cancer-related stigma negatively impacts screening and treatment engagement in Africa. The lack of intervention studies underscores the need for evidence-based strategies to reduce stigma. Future efforts should reduce barriers to cancer care, enhance public awareness, and implement policy changes to improve outcomes.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsSocial StigmaAfricaEarly Detection of CancerFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumanscancercancer stigmaLMICsmental healthstigma

Identifiers

PMID39998387
PMCPMC12335014

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.