Childhood Cancer Survivorship in Cameroon: A Pilot Study at Mbingo Baptist Hospital Demonstrates the Need for Structured Survivorship Follow-Up and Support Services.
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BACKGROUND: Childhood cancer survival is improving in low-resource settings, but long-term outcomes remain poorly described. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 172 survivors diagnosed before age 18 and treated between 2000 and 2020 at Mbingo Baptist Hospital was conducted. Questionnaires assessed education, stigma, disability, fertility, and perceived burden. A six-domain composite QoL index was analysed, and logistic regression identified predictors of poor outcomes. RESULTS PARTICIPANTS: were predominantly Burkitt lymphoma survivors (82.6%), with a median age of 18.8 years and 9-year survivorship. While 68.6% resumed schooling, one-third did not. Disabilities affected 20.9%, and 38.4% felt like a burden. QoL was moderate in 61.6% and low in 7.6%. Older age at treatment predicted poorer QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors face persistent educational and psychosocial challenges. Structured survivorship programmes integrating counselling, rehabilitation, and social reintegration are needed.