International records / Internet Archive

Cultural Beliefs and Misconceptions about Cancer in Eastern Nigeria (www.kiu.ac.ug)

Cancer continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Eastern Nigeria, where cultural beliefs, traditional practices, and religious interpretations strongly influence perceptions of the disease. Misconceptions about cancer causation, prevention, and treatment rooted in indigenous cosmologies, moral frameworks, and communal narratives contribute to stigma, delayed diagnosis, and poor adherence to biomedical care. Traditional healers, faith-based institutions, and community opinion leaders play critical roles in either perpetuating or challenging these beliefs. This review examines t…