Cancer Communication Disparities in High-Income and Low-Income Countries: A Narrative Review and Call for Cooperation

Abstract

Medical journalism is essential for shaping health behaviors, influencing policy, and guiding the public toward better health outcomes. However, disparities in access to evidence-based information between high-income countries (HICs) and low-income countries (LICs) compromise global cancer control efforts. This narrative review synthesizes current literature and expert perspectives on cancer communication disparities and proposes an ethically grounded, multisectoral framework to foster collaboration among journals, policymakers, global health agencies, and technology stakeholders. Evidence suggests that limited cancer awareness, restricted access to reliable information, and sociocultural barriers in LICs contribute to delayed diagnosis and suboptimal prevention. Open-access publishing, culturally tailored mass media, capacity building, and international collaborations are key strategies to reduce these disparities and improve cancer outcomes worldwide.