Social Scientists Key in Cancer Fight, Experts Emphasize
Experts Stress Community Involvement, Collaboration, and Research to Tackle Cancer Effectively
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Health experts have highlighted the vital role of social scientists in combating cancer, a disease claiming thousands of Tanzanian lives, often due to lifestyle factors.
The insights were shared during the launch of the book Cancer Care in Pandemic Times: Building Inclusive Local Health Security in Africa and India, held in Dar es Salaam.
Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) Executive Director, Professor Mohamed Janabi, stressed the importance of community involvement in cancer prevention and treatment.
"Equipping community health workers can bridge the gap between communities and health facilities. The government recognizes this and prioritizes strengthening primary healthcare to achieve universal health coverage," Prof. Janabi stated.
Professor Angwara Kiwara of Kampala International University echoed the need for behavior change at the community level, emphasizing that "cancer is a social problem, not just a medical one." He praised the book for addressing this perspective.
ESRF Executive Director, Professor Fortunata Makene, explained that the research behind the book, conducted since 2018, involved Tanzania, India, Kenya, and the UK.
"We explored innovations for addressing cancer, ensuring access to medicines and medical devices for treatment," Prof. Makene noted. She also highlighted the social challenges cancer patients face, including stigma, which require targeted interventions.
Kenyan health scientist Dr. Mercy Njeru stressed the need for collaborative efforts, stating, "To tackle this issue effectively, we must work together—health professionals, economists, and sociologists alike."
Health Economist Professor Maureen Mackintosh from the Open University, UK, pointed out the financial burden caused by delayed diagnoses.
"Long diagnosis delays increase treatment costs. Cancer worsens poverty, so health systems should be reorganized to speed up diagnosis," Prof. Mackintosh advised.
Dr. Crispin Kahesa, Director of Cancer Prevention Services at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (OCRI), highlighted that cancer remains a low priority in the national health agenda.
"The fight against cancer requires prevention, treatment, palliative care, and research. However, limited funding focuses mainly on treatment and palliative care, lacking sufficient evidence-based research," Dr. Kahesa said.
He called for increased funding, more human resources, dedicated research time, and mentorship programs to strengthen cancer research efforts.
