From Learning to Policy: Adapting National Cancer Control Plans and Implementation to Africa's Cancer Control...

Area of Science:

• Public Health and Cancer Control
• Health Systems Research
• Africa-specific Cancer Research

Background:

• Africa Cancer Research and Control ECHO (Africa Cancer ECHO) convenes diverse stakeholders to address cancer control challenges using evidence-based strategies.
• The program aims to inform and support national cancer control planning efforts across African countries.
• Understanding the content of these discussions is crucial for refining cancer control strategies in the region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To perform a content analysis of the 2020-2021 Africa Cancer ECHO series.
• To map discussed topics to core elements of National Cancer Control Plans (NCCP).
• To identify research gaps, opportunities, and system-level barriers in African cancer control.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of 19 recorded Africa Cancer ECHO sessions.
• Transcribed sessions and coded content using frameworks for SWOT and NCCP Checklist core elements.
• Analyzed presenter characteristics and session content quantitatively and qualitatively.

Main Results:

• Service delivery was the most discussed NCCP core element, followed by diagnosis, staging, screening, and finance.
• Opportunities were the most frequent SWOT element identified.
• Task shifting emerged as a key enabler for improving healthcare efficiency and access.

Conclusions:

• Content analysis of the Africa Cancer ECHO series effectively mapped topical issues and identified areas needing more emphasis.
• A flexible, context-aware NCCP framework is recommended to align with Africa-specific priorities and realities.
• Increased focus on prevention, palliative care, and surveillance is warranted for enhanced cancer control in Africa.