Development of a Culturally Sensitive Breast Cancer Patient Education Toolkit in Rwanda: A Methodological Approach

Background: Breast cancer is an escalating public health concern in Low and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Rwanda, the annual new cases are projected to increase from 1,131 in 2018 to 2,420 by 2040. Despite this growing burden, many patients face significant gaps in access to clear, culturally appropriate, and comprehensive information regarding their diagnosis, treatment, and care journey. In response, OAZIS Health launched the ICYIZERE (hope) Initiative to develop and disseminate a patient-centered, culturally sensitive education toolkit aimed at supporting informed decision-making and improving the quality of life for breast cancer patients and their caregivers. Methods: The toolkit was developed using a structured, participatory process anchored in four key stakeholder consultative workshops. The process began with a desk review workshop to assess and synthesize existing national and international breast cancer educational materials and practices. This was followed by a technical consultative workshop involving multidisciplinary experts, including physicians, oncologists, health communication specialists, and breast cancer survivors, to design patient-centered and context-specific content. A draft review workshop was then conducted to assess language clarity, cultural relevance, and medical accuracy. Finally, a national validation workshop brought together representatives from health policy-making agencies, professional societies, civil society organizations, and patient advocacy groups to review and endorse the final content for dissemination. Results: The resulting patient education booklet is a user-friendly, evidence-based resource available in both print and electronic formats. It addresses the informational and emotional needs of breast cancer patients across different stages of care. Designed for distribution within cancer care facilities and through community outreach channels, the booklet provides culturally tailored guidance on diagnosis, treatment options, survivorship, and coping strategies. Conclusion: This multi-stakeholder, consultative development process ensured that the breast cancer patient education booklet is both scientifically accurate and culturally appropriate for the Rwandan context. The approach demonstrates a scalable model for patient education material development in low- and middle-income countries. Future updates will incorporate feedback from patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness.