Cancer education and capacity in sub-Saharan Africa-where do we stand?

Cancer is a controllable disease with advanced medical approaches and stakeholder collaborative efforts. Despite significant financial investments in cancer research, progress remains limited, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where most cancer types remain understudied. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current trends in cancer education, awareness, and screening uptake in SSA. It also identifies prospects for advancing cancer education and sustaining research efforts in the region. We included 86 studies in this review, synthesizing evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to present an unbiased overview of SSA-specific trends. A structured table was derived from 52 studies, comprising 26 on cervical cancer, 10 on breast cancer, and 16 on other cancer types. The review highlights positive outcomes from awareness campaigns of the included designs. However, low participant retention in trials and underdeveloped research infrastructure in SSA have hindered the translation of awareness into clinical trial participation and vaccine uptake. While the review identifies promising preventive, predictive, and personalized approaches for cancer awareness in SSA, it calls for more rigorous study designs with robust data analysis to address potential biases. Furthermore, sustained financial and cultural support is critical to align future research with SSA's healthcare priorities and societal perceptions.