Routes to diagnosis of symptomatic cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Most cancers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are diagnosed at advanced stages, with limited treatment options and poor outcomes. Part of this may be linked to various events occurring in patients' journey to diagnosis. Using the model of pathways to treatment, we examined the evidence regarding the routes to cancer diagnosis in SSA.

Design and settings

A systematic review of available literature was performed.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Between 30 September and 30 November 2019, seven electronic databases were searched using terms relating to SSA countries, cancer and routes to diagnosis comprising the population, exposure and outcomes, respectively. Citation lists of included studies

SUBMITTER: Martins T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7678384 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature