By Gabe Sanders NSCA-CSCS
More people in Africa are surviving cancer than ever before, but what happens next is far less certain.
Surviving cancer is a major victory, yet many survivors are left navigating a long road of physical, emotional, and financial challenges with little support.
A recent scoping review published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship analyzed 181 studies from 19 African countries between 2011 and 2024, uncovering a striking reality: while cancer survival rates are improving, post-treatment care systems are not keeping pace.
Survivors are living with persistent physical and emotional challenges, including pain, fatigue, stigma, and financial hardship. Despite these pressing needs, only 18% of the studies reviewed featured any form of intervention, and even fewer addressed coordinated care between healthcare providers, community leaders, and families. Most research is confined to hospital settings, with minimal attention paid to where most recovery happens at home and in the community.
This Matters
Survivorship is not just about follow-up appointments or monitoring for recurrence. It is about helping individuals return to work, manage mental health, rebuild relationships, and restore a sense of normalcy. The review strongly advocates for community-based, context-specific care models that tap into Africa’s robust network of community health workers and peer support systems.
Equally concerning is the inconsistent use and vague definition of the term “survivorship.” Without a clear, shared understanding, it becomes difficult to create targeted policies and programs that truly support recovery.
It is important to remember that surviving cancer is only part of the journey. Thriving beyond treatment requires intentional, coordinated action. Expanding interventional research, elevating community voices, and building inclusive care systems are the next steps in closing this survivorship gap.
Article’s Source
Onyeka, Tonia, Abdulhafiz Zakieh, Isaiah Gitonga, Goodluck Nchasi, Md Ahasanur Rahman, Nikki Prattipati, Alicia A. Livinski, Timiya S. Nolan, and Mishka Kohli Cira. “A scoping review exploring cancer survivorship in Africa: 2011 to 2024.” Journal of Cancer Survivorship (2025): 1-11.
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