ArticleJCO global oncology2023
Cancer-Related Stigma in Malawi: Narratives of Cancer Survivors.
Article in JCO global oncology, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 19 papers.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
19 citing papers in PubMed, 22 citations in OpenAlex.
- Trial
- Confusion Arising from too many Messages in Health Awareness Campaigns in Rural Communities in Malawi.Journal of community health · 2026Article
- From Mechanisms to Manifestations: A Scoping Review Exploring Cancer-Related Discrimination.Psycho-oncology · 2026Article
- Social Support Across the Cancer Care Continuum in Malawi: Narratives from Cancer Survivors.SSM. Qualitative research in health · 2026Article
- Development and psychometric properties of a general cancer stigma scale.International journal of cancer · 2026Article
- Stigma as a mediator in the impact of cancer-related symptoms on social relationships in survivors.Palliative & supportive care · 2026Article
- Article
- Examining stigma associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer screening and treatment in Africa: a scoping review.Global mental health (Cambridge, England) · 2026Review
- Intersectional stigma and resilience in the uptake of cervical cancer prevention services in Nigeria: a qualitative study.BMJ global health · 2025Article
- Quality of life among non-metastatic breast cancer survivors in Botswana.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2025Article
- Empowering early detection: a pioneering breast health training course for healthcare workers in Malawi.BMJ global health · 2025Article
- Childhood Cancer Survivorship Care in Limited Resource Settings: A Narrative Review and Strategies to Promote Global Health Equity.JCO global oncology · 2025Review
- Underserved Patient Populations With Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Review of Progress and Remaining Challenges.The breast journal · 2025Review
- Is Tunisia ready for precision medicine? Challenges of medical genomics within a LMIC healthcare system.Journal of community genetics · 2024Review
- Cancer stigma: the need for policy and programmatic action.Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs · 2024Article
- Global cancer stigma research: a U.S. National Cancer Institute workshop report.Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs · 2024Article
- Effects of stigma on quality of life of cancer survivors: Preliminary evidence from a survivorship programme in Kenya.Heliyon · 2024Article
- Addressing the Intersectional Stigma of Kaposi Sarcoma and HIV: A Call to Action.JCO global oncology · 2024Article
- Experiences of caregivers of children with cancer in Malawi: A qualitative study.Cancer medicine · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
purposeStigma is an impediment across the cancer care continuum, leading to delayed presentation to care, elevated morbidity and mortality, and reduced quality of life. The goal of this study was to qualitatively examine the drivers, manifestations, and impacts of cancer-related stigma among individuals who received cancer treatment in Malawi, and to identify opportunities to address stigma.
methodsIndividuals who had completed treatment for lymphoma (n = 20) or breast cancer (n = 9) were recruited from observational cancer cohorts in Lilongwe, Malawi. Interviews explored the individual's cancer journey, from first symptoms through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Interviews were audio-recorded and translated from Chichewa to English. Data were coded for content related to stigma, and thematically analyzed to describe the drivers, manifestations, and impacts of stigma along the cancer journey.
resultsDrivers of cancer stigma included beliefs of cancer origin (cancer as infectious; cancer as a marker of HIV; cancer due to bewitchment), perceived changes in the individual with cancer (loss of social/economic role; physical changes), and expectations about the individual's future (cancer as death sentence). Cancer stigma manifested through gossip, isolation, and courtesy stigma toward family members. The impacts of cancer stigma included mental health distress, impediments to care engagement, lack of cancer disclosure, and self-isolation. Participants suggested the following programmatic needs: community education about cancer; counseling in health facilities; and peer support from cancer survivors.
conclusionThe results highlight multifactorial drivers, manifestations, and impacts of cancer-related stigma in Malawi, which may affect success of cancer screening and treatment programs. There is a clear need for multilevel interventions to improve community attitudes toward people with cancer, and to support individuals along the continuum of cancer care.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.