To examine clinical trials on the current status and distribution of cancer-associated lifestyle and non-pharmacological clinical trials in Africa, highlighting trends, gaps, and opportunities for future research, particularly in addressing public health challenges.
Key Findings:
53 trials identified, with the majority conducted in Egypt (71.7%), followed by Nigeria (9.4%) and Kenya (7.5%). Total trials mentioned for consistency.
Breast cancer had the highest number of trials (45.3%), followed by colorectal (11.3%) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (7.5%).
Most trials were sponsored by academic institutions (84.9%) and involved physical activity (47.2%) and psychological interventions (18.9%).
60.4% of trials were completed, while 24.5% were ongoing.
Interpretation:
Non-pharmacological interventions for cancer management in Africa are still in early stages, indicating a need for more oncology trials to validate these interventions in the context of Africa's unique challenges, including socioeconomic factors.
Limitations:
The review does not formally identify as a systematic review and lacks a prospectively registered protocol.
Limited data on the effectiveness of interventions due to the nascent stage of trials, with potential biases in trial reporting.
Conclusion:
There is an urgent need for more research on non-pharmaceutical/lifestyle interventions in Africa to address the cancer burden, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where existing interventions may not be directly applicable from high-income countries. Emphasizing culturally tailored interventions is crucial.
