A Scoping Review on Barriers to Cancer Diagnosis and Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Recommended Citation
Agbedinu K, Antwi S, Aduse-Poku L, Akakpo PK, Larrious-Lartey H, Ofori Aboah V, Mensah S, Nyarko V, Amponsah-Manu F, Nsaful J, Dampson R, Nortey M, Aja I, Sheriff M, Dokurugu MA, Affram N, Mremi A, Mwakyembe T, Kamita M, Kaljee L, and Jiagge E. A Scoping Review on Barriers to Cancer Diagnosis and Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(7):1066-1073.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2025
Publication Title
Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention
Abstract
Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) disproportionately burdened by high mortality rates despite a lower overall incidence. Barriers to timely diagnosis and care exacerbate these disparities. This scoping review synthesizes existing literature on barriers for women in LMICs following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Studies on women in LMICs reporting barriers to accessing care for breast, colorectal, lung, cervix uteri, thyroid, corpus uteri, and stomach cancers were included. Twenty-nine studies involving 7,031 participants were included. The most common barriers included financial challenges (65.5%), geographic obstacles (34.5%), health system limitations (55.2%), and low health literacy (51.7%). Patients experienced significant delays, averaging 7.4 months from symptom onset to diagnosis and 4.9 months from diagnosis to treatment initiation. Structural issues such as limited diagnostic services, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and healthcare provider shortages were widespread. Addressing the multifaceted barriers to cancer care in LMICs requires comprehensive strategies, including increasing financial support, decentralizing care services, improving healthcare infrastructure, and enhancing education for patients and providers. Policymakers and stakeholders should prioritize investments in cancer care to reduce disparities and improve outcomes. These findings will inform strategies for improving cancer care in low-resource settings globally.
Medical Subject Headings
Humans; Neoplasms; Developing Countries; Health Services Accessibility; Female; Early Detection of Cancer; Healthcare Disparities
PubMed ID
40304503
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
Volume
34
Issue
7
First Page
1066
Last Page
1073
