Assessing Knowledge Sharing in Cancer Screening Among High-, Middle-, and Low-Income Countries: Insights From the...

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Oncology
• Cancer Control

Background:

• Rising global cancer burden necessitates effective knowledge sharing.
• The International Cancer Screening Network (ICSN) promotes collaboration in cancer screening research and practice.
• Understanding participant perceptions is key to optimizing international networks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the perceived value of the International Cancer Screening Network (ICSN).
• To evaluate knowledge sharing in cancer screening among participants from high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Main Methods:

• A self-administered online survey was distributed to 665 ICSN participants in 2018.
• Data were collected from participants in both HICs and LMICs.
• Survey responses were analyzed to compare perceptions and experiences between HIC and LMIC participants.

Main Results:

• LMIC participants showed more diverse screening activities and interest in cervical cancer screening compared to HIC participants.
• Both HIC and LMIC participants found the ICSN meeting valuable for learning from diverse settings.
• ICSN facilitated new collaborations, informed research, implementation, and policy advances, and enabled knowledge exchange.

Conclusions:

• International research networks like ICSN are crucial for advancing global cancer control.
• Inclusive networks that accommodate differing interests and needs of HIC and LMIC participants are essential.
• Knowledge sharing within ICSN benefits all participants, fostering global progress in cancer screening and control.