Expanding best practices for implementing evidence-based cancer control strategies in Africa: The 2019–2020 Africa Cancer Research and Control ECHO Program

Nakaganda, Annet; Cira, Mishka K.; Abdella, Kunuz; Uwinkindi, François; Mugo‐Sitati, Christine; Duncan, Kalina

doi:10.1016/j.jcpo.2021.100286

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The results of this analysis show that many of the presented strategies and initiatives for sustaining cancer services during the pandemic were centred around cancer treatment services. Consistent with the literature, there were very few strategies that focused on other elements of cancer control such as cervical cancer screening (a leading cause of cancer deaths in Africa), prevention, early detection and palliative care services [9,13]. These findings match with those observed in earlier studies that cancer screening, prevention, palliative care and psychosocial support services were completely suspended in many African countries during the pandemic [8][9][10]14].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…Consistent with the literature, there were very few strategies that focused on other elements of cancer control such as cervical cancer screening (a leading cause of cancer deaths in Africa), prevention, early detection and palliative care services [9,13]. These findings match with those observed in earlier studies that cancer screening, prevention, palliative care and psychosocial support services were completely suspended in many African countries during the pandemic [8][9][10]14]. This observation may be an important indicator of the misalignment between where resources for cancer control actually go and where resources should go to have the greatest long-term impact on cancer control in Africa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the Africa Cancer ECHO utilised their virtual platform to share experiences and knowledge of continuing cancer service delivery during the pandemic. The Africa Cancer ECHO is an African cancer expert-led initiative that regularly convenes cancer control experts to discuss the implementation of evidence-based cancer control initiatives in Africa [9].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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COVID-19 exposed pre-existing roadblocks for cancer control in Africa: strategies, lessons and recommendations from the 2019–2020 Africa Cancer Research and Control ECHO

Nakaganda¹,

Lasebikan²,

Garton³

et al. 2023

ecancer

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Background:The COVID-19 related mitigation measures adversely affected various cancer control activities in Africa, with cancer prevention and screening activities amongst the most significantly impacted. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the Africa Cancer Research and Control ECHO utilised their virtual platform to share experiences and knowledge of how to continue cancer service delivery during the pandemic. This analysis describes the evolved strategies, dilemmas, and recommendations to strengthen the health systems for cancer control in Africa.Methods: Eleven 1-hour-long sessions about the then newly emerging coronavirus infection and its impact on cancer control in Africa were held from April 2020 to August 2020, using Zoom ® . An average of 39 participants attended the sessions including scientists, clinicians, policymakers and global partners. Sessions were analysed thematically.Results: Most strategies to maintain cancer services during the COVID-19 pandemic centred around cancer treatment, with few strategies on maintaining cancer prevention services, early detection, palliative care and research services. The most mentioned challenge during the pandemic was fear of exposure to COVID-19 infection at the health facility during diagnosis, treatment or follow-up for cancer care. Other challenges were disruptions to service delivery, inaccessibility of cancer treatment, disruption of research activities and a lack of psychosocial support for COVID-19 related fear/anxiety. Significantly, this analysis shows that the COVID-19 related mitigation measures exacerbated existing predicaments in Africa, such as inadequate attention to cancer prevention strategies, psychosocial and palliative services and cancer research. The Africa Cancer ECHO recommends African countries to leverage the infrastructure developed in response to COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen the health system along the entire cancer control continuum. This calls for urgent action to develop and implement evidence-based frameworks and comprehensive National Cancer Control Plans that will withstand any future disruptions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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COVID-19 exposed pre-existing roadblocks for cancer control in Africa: strategies, lessons and recommendations from the 2019–2020 Africa Cancer Research and Control ECHO

Nakaganda¹,

Lasebikan²,

Garton³

et al. 2023

ecancer

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“…Comprehensive policy plans include setting global targets and national‐level plans. There is increasing evidence that NCCPs which include clear objectives, governance, and resource allocation improves cancer outcomes by providing a high‐level framework to guide resource prioritisation and implementation 13–16 . Policy can lead to an increased emphasis on development in specified domains and increase capacity and targeted resources across the cancer continuum 8,17,18 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial care for cancer survivors: A global review of national cancer control plans

Mullen,

Signorelli,

Nekhlyudov

et al. 2023

Psycho-Oncology

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ObjectiveNational Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs) are high‐level policy documents that prioritise actions to be taken to improve cancer control activities. As the number of cancer survivors grows globally, there is an urgent need to assess whether and how psychosocial care across the cancer care continuum is included in NCCPs. This review aimed to ascertain the extent to which NCCPs referenced psycho‐oncology care for cancer survivors in the post‐treatment phase.MethodsNCCPs were obtained from the International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP) portal (in November 2021) and reviewed in two phases. In Phase 1, all available NCCPs were screened to determine whether they mentioned psycho‐oncology or survivorship. In Phase 2, reviewers extracted data from the NCCPs identified in Phase 1 on the degree that each plan articulated objectives/goals to improve psychosocial care in the post‐treatment survivorship phase.ResultsWe screened 237 NCCPs. Of these, initial potential reference to psycho‐oncology and survivorship content were identified in 97 plans (41%). In Phase 1, 57/97 (59%) had reference to psycho‐oncology or survivorship content within defined criteria. In Phase 2, 27/97 (28%) had little mention of psycho‐oncology specifically in survivorship, 47/97 (48%) had some (general or brief) mention, and the remaining 23/97 (24%) had substantial content/specific sections and clearly articulated goals and/or objectives. Common goals for improving psychosocial care in the post‐treatment period included building capacity of healthcare professionals, implementing rehabilitation models, and increasing the utilisation of community services.ConclusionsMost NCCPs did not reference psycho‐oncology and only one‐quarter contained clear objectives specifically in the post‐treatment survivorship phase.

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“…Pairings may involve South-South support, for example, the Uganda Cancer Institute was facilitated to support stakeholders in Swaziland in setting up and operating a cancer unit in Mbabane Government Hospital (Kiyange et al, 2018). Instances of partnerships include an initiative first convened by a national sponsor organization, US National Cancer Institute, subsequently continued under the leadership of a volunteer-led expert, the Africa Cancer ECHO Steering Committee spanning six countries (Nakaganda et al, 2021). Enduring partnerships that last beyond the grant cycle is a key benchmark when assessing meaningful collaboration.…”

Section: Twinning Partnerships Network and Coalitionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The global challenge of cancer governance

Lunt

2023

World Med & Health Policy

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The global cancer statistics are stark, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, around one in six of all deaths globally. The World Health Organization estimates that 70% of these cancer deaths occur in low‐ and middle‐income countries and cancer will continue to rise as a proportion of deaths in these settings. We may usefully characterize cancer as a “social mess,” a set of interrelated problems and other messes including poverty and social determinants of health. One part of cancer's “messiness” is the governance deficit around cancer burden and regional inequities This policy paper assesses the field of global oncology governance and the interplay of legal instruments, soft law, national developments, donor activities, as well as partnerships, networks, and coalitions. Cancer governance is central to tackling cancer inequalities. Continuing to probe the complexities of cancer governance requires attention to market mechanisms, international agreements, soft power, political willpower, partnerships, collaborations and networks, and patient participation. Governance is inseparable from “paradigmatic” framings and cancer must be seen as a human rights issue.

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Expanding best practices for implementing evidence-based cancer control strategies in Africa: The 2019–2020 Africa Cancer Research and Control ECHO Program

Cited by 6 publications

References 9 publications

COVID-19 exposed pre-existing roadblocks for cancer control in Africa: strategies, lessons and recommendations from the 2019–2020 Africa Cancer Research and Control ECHO

COVID-19 exposed pre-existing roadblocks for cancer control in Africa: strategies, lessons and recommendations from the 2019–2020 Africa Cancer Research and Control ECHO

Psychosocial care for cancer survivors: A global review of national cancer control plans

The global challenge of cancer governance

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