A scoping review of barriers within the cancer care continuum: Addressing screening, diagnosis, and treatment disparities for an equitable future

Introduction: Health equity within the cancer care continuum remains an underexplored concept. To achieve optimal health outcomes at the population level, it is essential to explore health equity and address the disparities embedded within cancer care. Identifying existing barriers is a vital step...

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Main Author: Isra Asma Ahmad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: International Network for the Advancement of Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health (INAMPPH) 2025-04-01
Series:Advances in Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ampphealthjournal-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AMPPH_2025_96_106.pdf
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author Isra Asma Ahmad
author_facet Isra Asma Ahmad
author_sort Isra Asma Ahmad
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Health equity within the cancer care continuum remains an underexplored concept. To achieve optimal health outcomes at the population level, it is essential to explore health equity and address the disparities embedded within cancer care. Identifying existing barriers is a vital step in understanding the breadth and depth of implementing equitable approaches. This will provide insights into the types of approaches needed to address these disparities. Methods: This scoping review examines barriers related to cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment that disproportionately impact underserved and marginalized communities. Results: The findings indicate that recurring barriers across the cancer care continuum include low health literacy, communication-related challenges, and language proficiency. Specific barriers to diagnostic programs include poor coordination of care, long wait times, and a lack of trust in primary care providers. Addressing these inconsistencies is crucial for the conceptualization and implementation of equitable approaches to eliminate disparities within the cancer care continuum. Discussion: The review highlights barriers such as low health literacy, language proficiency issues, and poor coordination of care significantly impact cancer outcomes. Tailored interventions, such as culturally appropriate health education, improved patient-provider communication, and integrated care coordination, are essential for addressing these barriers. By implementing these strategies, health equity can be enhanced, leading to better health outcomes for all population segments.
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spelling doaj-art-70d732aeab2e44b585d6acfc0758d8b82025-08-20T02:52:31ZengInternational Network for the Advancement of Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health (INAMPPH)Advances in Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health3034-88032025-04-01229610610.5281/zenodo.13094674A scoping review of barriers within the cancer care continuum: Addressing screening, diagnosis, and treatment disparities for an equitable futureIsra Asma Ahmad0Faculty of Health, School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, OntarioIntroduction: Health equity within the cancer care continuum remains an underexplored concept. To achieve optimal health outcomes at the population level, it is essential to explore health equity and address the disparities embedded within cancer care. Identifying existing barriers is a vital step in understanding the breadth and depth of implementing equitable approaches. This will provide insights into the types of approaches needed to address these disparities. Methods: This scoping review examines barriers related to cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment that disproportionately impact underserved and marginalized communities. Results: The findings indicate that recurring barriers across the cancer care continuum include low health literacy, communication-related challenges, and language proficiency. Specific barriers to diagnostic programs include poor coordination of care, long wait times, and a lack of trust in primary care providers. Addressing these inconsistencies is crucial for the conceptualization and implementation of equitable approaches to eliminate disparities within the cancer care continuum. Discussion: The review highlights barriers such as low health literacy, language proficiency issues, and poor coordination of care significantly impact cancer outcomes. Tailored interventions, such as culturally appropriate health education, improved patient-provider communication, and integrated care coordination, are essential for addressing these barriers. By implementing these strategies, health equity can be enhanced, leading to better health outcomes for all population segments.https://ampphealthjournal-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AMPPH_2025_96_106.pdfbarriers to screeningbarriers to diagnosisbarriers to treatmenthealth equitydisparitiescancer carecancer prevention
spellingShingle Isra Asma Ahmad
A scoping review of barriers within the cancer care continuum: Addressing screening, diagnosis, and treatment disparities for an equitable future
Advances in Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health
barriers to screening
barriers to diagnosis
barriers to treatment
health equity
disparities
cancer care
cancer prevention
title A scoping review of barriers within the cancer care continuum: Addressing screening, diagnosis, and treatment disparities for an equitable future
title_full A scoping review of barriers within the cancer care continuum: Addressing screening, diagnosis, and treatment disparities for an equitable future
title_fullStr A scoping review of barriers within the cancer care continuum: Addressing screening, diagnosis, and treatment disparities for an equitable future
title_full_unstemmed A scoping review of barriers within the cancer care continuum: Addressing screening, diagnosis, and treatment disparities for an equitable future
title_short A scoping review of barriers within the cancer care continuum: Addressing screening, diagnosis, and treatment disparities for an equitable future
title_sort scoping review of barriers within the cancer care continuum addressing screening diagnosis and treatment disparities for an equitable future
topic barriers to screening
barriers to diagnosis
barriers to treatment
health equity
disparities
cancer care
cancer prevention
url https://ampphealthjournal-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AMPPH_2025_96_106.pdf
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AT israasmaahmad scopingreviewofbarrierswithinthecancercarecontinuumaddressingscreeningdiagnosisandtreatmentdisparitiesforanequitablefuture