The intersection of culture and prostate cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review
Abstract Background In sub-Saharan Africa, prostate cancer poses a growing burden, with projections indicating a near doubling of deaths by 2040. Cultural beliefs and stigmas surrounding prostate cancer can deter men from seeking timely medical care until the disease has advanced. This systematic re...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SpringerOpen
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | African Journal of Urology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-025-00512-y |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849399588925997056 |
|---|---|
| author | Benedict Ofori Kwadwo Fosu Anastasia Rosebud Aikins Kwabena Amofa Nketia Sarpong |
| author_facet | Benedict Ofori Kwadwo Fosu Anastasia Rosebud Aikins Kwabena Amofa Nketia Sarpong |
| author_sort | Benedict Ofori |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In sub-Saharan Africa, prostate cancer poses a growing burden, with projections indicating a near doubling of deaths by 2040. Cultural beliefs and stigmas surrounding prostate cancer can deter men from seeking timely medical care until the disease has advanced. This systematic review explores the intersection of cultural influences on prostate cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa, identifying barriers and facilitators to improving health outcomes for sub-Saharan African men. Method We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus from 2000 to 2023 for studies and reports focusing on cultural beliefs, health-seeking behaviors, traditional medicine for prostate cancer care, and healthcare access related to prostate cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, we used data from the African Cancer Registry and the Global Cancer Observatory to gather information on prostate cancer cases. Results We included 34 studies in this review. These studies revealed that there are diverse cultural perceptions influencing attitudes to prostate cancer, such as associating it with spiritual causes or issues of masculinity, leading to stigma and delays in seeking medical care in sub-Saharan Africa. Mostly, men perceive prostate cancer screening negatively due to fears of discomfort, social stigma, fatalism, and misconceptions about the causes and outcomes of the disease. Effective strategies for improving awareness about prostate cancer include community engagement, media outreach, healthcare provider education, and enhancing accessibility to screening services, particularly in rural areas. Conclusion This study highlights the significant impact of cultural beliefs on prostate cancer care-seeking behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa and uncovers widespread misconceptions and stigmas that impede timely diagnosis and treatment. Our findings show the urgent need for culturally tailored interventions to increase awareness, correct misconceptions, and diminish the stigma associated with prostate cancer in the region. This is essential for enhancing prostate cancer outcomes and addressing the anticipated increase in cases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9e575f8f66fb48d2b686a3471ce3a00c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1961-9987 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Urology |
| spelling | doaj-art-9e575f8f66fb48d2b686a3471ce3a00c2025-08-20T03:38:18ZengSpringerOpenAfrican Journal of Urology1961-99872025-07-0131111710.1186/s12301-025-00512-yThe intersection of culture and prostate cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic reviewBenedict Ofori0Kwadwo Fosu1Anastasia Rosebud Aikins2Kwabena Amofa Nketia Sarpong3Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of GhanaDepartment of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of GhanaDepartment of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of GhanaDepartment of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of GhanaAbstract Background In sub-Saharan Africa, prostate cancer poses a growing burden, with projections indicating a near doubling of deaths by 2040. Cultural beliefs and stigmas surrounding prostate cancer can deter men from seeking timely medical care until the disease has advanced. This systematic review explores the intersection of cultural influences on prostate cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa, identifying barriers and facilitators to improving health outcomes for sub-Saharan African men. Method We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus from 2000 to 2023 for studies and reports focusing on cultural beliefs, health-seeking behaviors, traditional medicine for prostate cancer care, and healthcare access related to prostate cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, we used data from the African Cancer Registry and the Global Cancer Observatory to gather information on prostate cancer cases. Results We included 34 studies in this review. These studies revealed that there are diverse cultural perceptions influencing attitudes to prostate cancer, such as associating it with spiritual causes or issues of masculinity, leading to stigma and delays in seeking medical care in sub-Saharan Africa. Mostly, men perceive prostate cancer screening negatively due to fears of discomfort, social stigma, fatalism, and misconceptions about the causes and outcomes of the disease. Effective strategies for improving awareness about prostate cancer include community engagement, media outreach, healthcare provider education, and enhancing accessibility to screening services, particularly in rural areas. Conclusion This study highlights the significant impact of cultural beliefs on prostate cancer care-seeking behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa and uncovers widespread misconceptions and stigmas that impede timely diagnosis and treatment. Our findings show the urgent need for culturally tailored interventions to increase awareness, correct misconceptions, and diminish the stigma associated with prostate cancer in the region. This is essential for enhancing prostate cancer outcomes and addressing the anticipated increase in cases.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-025-00512-yProstate cancerSub-Saharan AfricaCultural beliefsAwareness programsHealthcare accessStigma |
| spellingShingle | Benedict Ofori Kwadwo Fosu Anastasia Rosebud Aikins Kwabena Amofa Nketia Sarpong The intersection of culture and prostate cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review African Journal of Urology Prostate cancer Sub-Saharan Africa Cultural beliefs Awareness programs Healthcare access Stigma |
| title | The intersection of culture and prostate cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review |
| title_full | The intersection of culture and prostate cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | The intersection of culture and prostate cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The intersection of culture and prostate cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review |
| title_short | The intersection of culture and prostate cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review |
| title_sort | intersection of culture and prostate cancer care in sub saharan africa a systematic review |
| topic | Prostate cancer Sub-Saharan Africa Cultural beliefs Awareness programs Healthcare access Stigma |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-025-00512-y |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT benedictofori theintersectionofcultureandprostatecancercareinsubsaharanafricaasystematicreview AT kwadwofosu theintersectionofcultureandprostatecancercareinsubsaharanafricaasystematicreview AT anastasiarosebudaikins theintersectionofcultureandprostatecancercareinsubsaharanafricaasystematicreview AT kwabenaamofanketiasarpong theintersectionofcultureandprostatecancercareinsubsaharanafricaasystematicreview AT benedictofori intersectionofcultureandprostatecancercareinsubsaharanafricaasystematicreview AT kwadwofosu intersectionofcultureandprostatecancercareinsubsaharanafricaasystematicreview AT anastasiarosebudaikins intersectionofcultureandprostatecancercareinsubsaharanafricaasystematicreview AT kwabenaamofanketiasarpong intersectionofcultureandprostatecancercareinsubsaharanafricaasystematicreview |