Neglected cancer care needs among the nomadic pastoralist communities in sub-Saharan Africa: a call to action

• Published in: BMJ global health Vol. 9; no. 1; p. e014207
• Main Authors: Abdihamid, Omar, Rubagumya, Fidel, Vanderpuye, Verna, Alemu, Haimanot Kasahun, Omar, Abeid, Abdourahman, Houda, Hammad, Nazik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 18.01.2024; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Africa South of the Sahara - epidemiology; Cancer; Commentary; Disease prevention; Epidemiology; Farming; Health disparities; Health policy; Health Services Accessibility; Human papillomavirus; Humans; Immunization; Lifestyles; Livestock; Medical diagnosis; Medical screening; Neoplasms; Nomads; Palliative care; Pastoralism; Patient education; Review; Tribal society; Vaccines; Africa South of the Sahara; Djibouti; South Sudan; Sudan; Africa; Somalia; Uganda; Kenya; Ethiopia; Health policy; Review; Cancer
• ISSN: 2059-7908; 2059-7908
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014207

Table 2 Challenges and proffered solutions to the neglected cancer care needs among the nomadic communities Lack of data and research on nomadic health Global studies to investigate epidemiological cancer patterns among nomads to ensure equity in care delivery. Cancer early detection among nomads Recruiting and training community health workers (CHWs) can be attempted in introducing cancer screening and patient education among nomadic communities in designated villages or waterpoints Cancer prevention strategies Redefining the word ‘cancer’ with cultural synonyms; cancer information must be delivered in a culturally acceptable form and through a shared decision model. Lack of Nomadic Health Guidelines in National Cancer Control Programmes Developing cancer care guidelines that are resource stratified but tailored to the inherent cancer care needs of the nomadic communities is urgently needed Cancer prevention among nomadic populations While there is a paucity of data on cancer prevention strategies among nomadic populations, their ambulatory lifestyle, less exposure to urbanisation, and Western diet and industrial carcinogens might decrease their risk for certain cancers. Cancer early detection among nomadic populations Nomadic-specific cancer screening, early detection and treatment strategies, including an amalgamation of ‘mobile’ services informed by the migratory tendencies of nomads, culturally acceptable services, community-directed interventions (CDIs) and One Health design, have shown promise.14 One Health is an approach calling for ‘the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals and our environment’, as