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BACKGROUND: Despite the rising cancer burden in Soweto, South Africa and the recognized role of Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) in the pluralistic health system, their role in cancer care remains underexplored. This study provides novel insights into THPs' understanding of cancer and their potential contribution to community awareness and early detection within complex sociocultural and health system contexts. OBJECTIVE: To explore THPs perceptions of cancer and the factors influencing their role in community cancer awareness and early detection in Soweto. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative design was adopted. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit 13 THPs in Soweto. Each participated in two in-depth interviews. Data were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed using Dedoose. RESULTS: Seven of the 13 THPs had encountered clients with cancer-related symptoms. The THPs described navigating cancer care with mixed certainty, drawing on experiential, spiritual, and limited biomedical knowledge. They often referred clients to biomedical facilities when symptoms appeared serious or unclear. Participants saw themselves as accessible community figures, offering psychosocial support and helping patients navigate the health system. While motivated to contribute to cancer awareness and early detection, they reported challenges related to limited recognition and legitimacy within the formal health sector. CONCLUSION: Traditional Health Practitioners play an informal but important intermediary role in community cancer care in Soweto. Their contributions are shaped by knowledge gaps, social dynamics, and systemic barriers. Strengthening their role in early detection requires interventions that improve training, build trust in biomedical services, and support integration within the health system.
Jama et al. (Mon,) studied this question.