For people living with cancer in Africa, relying on advice from wealthy countries might not be safe or effective. A new review looked at 53 trials across the continent to see what we actually know about lifestyle changes like physical activity and psychological support. The picture is mixed. Most of these studies happened in Egypt, with very few in Kenya or Nigeria. Breast cancer was the most studied condition, but other types of cancer were largely ignored.
So far, about 60% of these trials are finished, while nearly a quarter are still ongoing. Most were funded by local universities, which is promising. However, the review found that serious evidence from resource-limited settings is still very scarce. Non-drug treatments are just starting to be explored in Africa.
The biggest worry is that what works in rich countries might not work here due to different genetics, environments, and social conditions. We cannot assume success elsewhere means success here. We need more local studies to ensure these helpful interventions truly protect patients in sub-Saharan Africa.