Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer in Africa

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiotherapy
• Public Health

Background:

• Radiation therapy is a key breast cancer treatment, but its use is limited in African nations.
• Understanding the current landscape of radiation therapy for breast cancer in Africa is essential for improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review studies on radiation therapy for breast cancer in Africa.
• To analyze survival outcomes, adverse effects, techniques, and effectiveness of radiation therapy in the African context.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost databases up to February 2023.
• Nineteen articles meeting inclusion criteria were selected for this systematic review.

Main Results:

• Most studies originated from North Africa (63%).
• External beam radiation therapy with standard fractionation (50 Gy in 25 fractions) was commonly used.
• Radiation therapy was generally well-tolerated, with manageable adverse effects.

Conclusions:

• There is a scarcity of published research on breast cancer radiation therapy in Africa.
• Overall survival rates for breast cancer patients in Africa are lower compared to developed countries.
• Increased investment in radiation therapy resources and personnel training is vital to enhance breast cancer survivorship in Africa.