IARC and AORTIC launch survey on The Language of Cancer Communication in Africa

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in collaboration with the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), is conducting a survey on The Language of Cancer Communication in Africa. This survey is part of a research study to gather information on how the medical language of cancer and its treatment is communicated to patients and in the community in African languages, and what these communication terms mean when deconstructed. The study will highlight the existence or non-existence of cancer terms, as well as the nature of cancer terminology, in African languages, and how this may contribute to fear and disparities for patients and pose communication difficulties for health professionals.

The researchers invite all health professionals, community health workers, researchers, and scientists involved in cancer care in Africa to participate in this study. The survey collects information on cancer terms translated into African languages. Participants are asked to translate selected cancer terms (mostly those used in diagnosis and treatment) into their African language and then to translate them directly into their literal meaning in English. The study team aims to capture data for all African countries and all major languages for each country.

Please share the survey links with relevant professionals in your network. The information collected from this survey will help to highlight the state of cancer communication in Africa and serve as a platform and basis for future work in this area.

Take the survey now in English, French, Portuguese, or Arabic

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