Bias, stigma and Empowerment among girl childhood cancer patients and Survivors: A survivor-led study

Background- Childhood cancers cause significant morbidity and mortality, with notable gender disparities in access to healthcare. The Girl Child Project Initiative by CanKids addresses these inequities by offering holistic care and empowerment for young female cancer survivors. Through peer support and community engagement, the initiative targets medical, educational, and social needs aiming to reduce barriers and promote self-advocacy. Methods- The study included 82 female childhood cancer survivors from six major Indian cities- Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kolkata, and Chennai, all registered with CanKids. A team of cancer survivors developed a five-point Likert scale questionnaire covering challenges/barriers, stigma during treatment, stigma as cancer survivors and facilitators of survivorship. Conclusion- Social support and counselling from fellow survivors were highly valued by the participants. This support improved both health outcomes and quality of life for the survivors. The findings of the study suggest that developing countries can leverage survivors to manage and mitigate cancer-related stigma.