Cancer Knowledge Transfer in Africa, Asia Reviewed

Cancer continues to pose a formidable challenge to global health, particularly in regions such as Africa and Asia where healthcare infrastructure and resources are often constrained. A recent scoping review published in BMC Cancer (2025) sheds light on the critical role of knowledge transfer interventions aimed at enhancing cancer care policies and practices within these continents. By systematically assessing the landscape of existing evidence, this comprehensive analysis underscores both the opportunities and glaring gaps that shape cancer-related knowledge dissemination efforts.

The surge in cancer incidence across Africa and Asia is compounded by healthcare disparities, making evidence-based strategies for prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment more urgent than ever. Despite growing interest among international organizations and researchers, the pathways to effective cancer control remain fragmented. The review meticulously charts out interventions designed to bridge this chasm through targeted knowledge transfer — a process that involves the synthesis, exchange, and application of research findings to inform policy and clinical practice.

From January 1978 up to September 2024, the researchers canvassed a broad array of data sources spanning Embase, Medline, APA PsycInfo, ERIC, Emcare, and Google Scholar, supplemented by expert bibliographies. Their rigorous selection criteria honed in on peer-reviewed empirical studies conducted in English or French, focusing exclusively on interventions tailored for cancer knowledge dissemination within African and Asian settings. Central to the analysis was the AIMD framework, a strategic tool that articulates the Aims, Ingredients, Mechanism, and Delivery of knowledge transfer interventions, fostering a granular understanding of each initiative.

The review distilled evidence from seven peer-reviewed articles covering five distinct interventions. These efforts predominantly targeted health professionals and decision-makers, aiming to elevate the quality and implementation of cancer control policies rooted in robust evidence. A notable pattern emerged: all identified programs were spearheaded by external actors — international institutions and researchers chiefly from high-income countries — in partnership with local stakeholders across Africa and Asia. This dynamic illustrates the transnational collaboration essential to navigating the complex oncology landscapes in resource-limited environments.

Beyond conventional knowledge transfer mechanisms, some interventions embraced participatory research methodologies, engaging decision-makers directly in the research process. Such inclusive approaches were formulated to empower policymakers to adopt and customize evidence-based cancer interventions, thereby fostering sustainable and contextually relevant health outcomes. These participatory models represent an evolving frontier in bridging the research-to-policy gap that frequently stymies progress in low- and middle-income countries.

Yet, strikingly, the review also illuminates a pervasive scarcity of documented knowledge transfer interventions within cancer care across both continents. This dearth is largely attributed to chronic underfunding of non-communicable diseases — a reality that hampers comprehensive research and limits innovative program development. The scarcity of rigorous evaluations further compounds the invisibility of effective knowledge transfer strategies, impeding the scaling of successful models and the formulation of universally applicable guidelines.

From a policy perspective, the findings call for the systematic integration of knowledge transfer components within all facets of cancer research and intervention programs. Embedding these elements from inception to implementation stages can ensure that scientific discoveries translate swiftly and effectively into actionable policies and clinical protocols. Moreover, incorporating robust evaluation frameworks is paramount to generate evidence on intervention efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and cultural appropriateness, all of which are critical to adoption in diverse healthcare systems with constrained resources.

One salient aspect of this review is its emphasis on economic feasibility. Cancer interventions must be not only evidence-based but also aligned with the financial realities of African and Asian health sectors. The development of culturally sensitive policies and guidelines — cognizant of local customs, belief systems, and healthcare practices — is equally underscored as essential for successful uptake and long-term impact. This holistic approach endeavors to mitigate barriers beyond the biomedical sphere, addressing social determinants that shape cancer outcomes.

The review’s methodological rigor further reinforces its insights. Employing the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool allowed a nuanced assessment of study quality across quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method designs. This inclusive evaluation framework ensures that conclusions drawn are anchored in methodological robustness, offering a reliable foundation for future research and policy formulation.

International entities and high-income country researchers have a unique role in supporting capacity building and knowledge exchange. However, the review advocates for shifting paradigms toward more equitable and context-driven collaborations, where local stakeholders are active co-creators rather than passive recipients. This shift is vital for forging sustainable cancer control infrastructures that resonate with the unique epidemiological, social, and economic fabrics of African and Asian nations.

Looking forward, the authors propose fostering a global research agenda prioritizing knowledge transfer for cancer control, supported by increased funding dedicated to non-communicable diseases. Harnessing technological innovations — including digital platforms and telemedicine — offers promising avenues for scalable and adaptable interventions, especially in remote or underserved areas. Emphasizing multidisciplinary approaches that integrate public health, social sciences, and implementation science can accelerate the translation of research into meaningful health improvements.

The imperative for timely and effective knowledge transfer extends beyond cancer alone, touching the broader sphere of global health equity. As cancer burdens intensify, the strategic dissemination and application of evidence have the potential to transform healthcare landscapes, mitigate disparities, and ultimately save lives. This review serves as a clarion call to researchers, funders, policymakers, and practitioners to galvanize coordinated action grounded in context-sensitive evidence transfer.

In retrospect, this scoping review is both a reflection on what has been achieved and a roadmap for future endeavors. It illuminates the critical yet underexplored dimension of knowledge transfer in cancer control across Africa and Asia — regions poised at the crossroads of epidemiological transition and development challenges. Bridging existing gaps will require innovation, sustained commitment, and a reconceptualization of knowledge exchange as a dynamic and reciprocal process embedded within global health strategies.

The integration of knowledge transfer in cancer research holds transformative potential in mobilizing evidence into practice, fostering policy coherence, and strengthening health systems resilience. While the current evidence base is limited, the emerging patterns and recommendations chart a hopeful trajectory toward more effective and equitable cancer control on two dynamically evolving continents. Ultimately, advancing this agenda aligns with the broader global health mission of reducing cancer mortality and enhancing quality of life for millions across Africa and Asia.

Subject of Research: Knowledge transfer interventions to enhance cancer control policies and practices in Africa and Asia.

Article Title: Knowledge transfer interventions on cancer in Africa and Asia: a scoping review

Article References:
Robin, J., Schantz, C., Ly, M. et al. Knowledge transfer interventions on cancer in Africa and Asia: a scoping review. BMC Cancer 25, 704 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14061-8

Image Credits: Scienmag.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14061-8

Tags: BMC Cancer scoping review 2025cancer care in Africacancer incidence in developing countriescancer knowledge transfer in Asiacancer research in low-resource settingsearly detection and diagnosis of cancerevidence-based cancer prevention strategieshealthcare disparities in cancer treatmentinternational collaboration in cancer researchknowledge dissemination in healthcarepolicy implications for cancer caresystematic review of cancer interventions