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Review
. 2026 Oct 14:100937.
doi: 10.1016/j.landig.2025.100937. Online ahead of print.

Leveraging digital technologies to reduce cancer disparities in low-income and middle-income countries

Judy W Gichoya  1 , Rogers Mwavu  2 , Frank Minja  3 , Nadi Kaonga  4 , Saptarshi Purkayastha  5 , Janice Newsome  3
Affiliations
Free article
Review

Leveraging digital technologies to reduce cancer disparities in low-income and middle-income countries

Judy W Gichoya et al. Lancet Digit Health. .
Free article

Abstract

In a rural clinic in southwestern Uganda, Dr Sarah examines cervical images on her smartphone, receiving real-time artificial intelligence-powered guidance from a gynaecologic oncologist located hundreds of miles away. Once imaginary, this scenario now represents a highly probable future of digital health innovation transforming cancer care globally. With over 35 million new cases of cancer estimated by 2050, and up to 70% of deaths anticipated to disproportionately occur in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), digital solutions can be leveraged to accelerate the closure of these cancer care gaps. The global oncology community has responded to this imminent crisis by proposing several interventions, including promoting workforce education, mentorship, and task shifting; supporting early diagnosis and referrals through integrated diagnostics; prioritising and implementing prevention strategies such as tobacco cessation, cervical cancer screening, and vaccination; standardising and personalising treatment through increased participation in clinical trials and provision of essential cancer medications; and strengthening health-care systems. Across all these strategic pillars, digital health tools are crucial for advancing cancer care and narrowing existing global and geographical disparities in LMICs. In this Series paper, we evaluate the current status of these digital innovations in the context of cancer care.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests JWG has received conference travel support to attend the National Comprehensive Cancer Network meeting and APPOS oncology meeting. She has also received honoraria for speaking fees from Cook Medical. In addition, JWG serves as a member of several advisory boards including the AHA debiasing clinical care algorithms (DECCA), American College of Radiology AI advisory council, and the Council of Medical Specialty Societies Encoding Equity initiative. JWG is a board member of Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) and an Associate Editor for the journal Radiology: Artificial Intelligence. NK declares conference travel support from Doximity Foundation and ASCCP. She has received honoraria from ASCCP. JN has received support for conference and grand rounds attendance from Cook Medical and the university hospital. She has received honoraria for speakers fees from Cook Medical and Varian Medical and is on the advisory board of Road2IR and Wagglas Foundation. FM, SP, and RM declare no competing interests.

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