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(2026) Navigating cancer: Insights from patient journey mapping.  \nPLoS One 21(3): e0327113. [https://doi](https://doi). org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327113  \nEditor: Taiwo Opeyemi Aremu, Touro University California College of Pharmacy, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  \nReceived: June 10, 2025  \nAccepted: March 6, 2026  \nPublished: March 25, 2026  \nPeer Review History: PLOS recognizes the benefits of transparency in the peer review process; therefore, we enable the publication of all of the content of peer review and author responses alongside final, published articles. The editorial history of this article is available here: [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal). pone.0327113  \nCopyright: © 2026 Day et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution,  \nRESEARCH ARTICLE  \nNavigating cancer: Insights from patient journey mapping  \nSarah Day1*, Jane Harries2, Bukeka Sawula1, Alec Payne1, Shameem Bray1, Denis Okova1, Lauren Pretorius3, Jennifer Moodley1  \n1 Division of Public Health Medicine, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, 2 Cancer Association of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa, 3 Campaigning for Cancer, Johannesburg, South Africa  \n* [sarah.day@uct.ac.za](sarah.day@uct.ac.za)  \nAbstract  \nBackground  \nCancer is an increasing public health problem in South Africa, with breast cancer being the most diagnosed cancer and cervical cancer the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Despite the complexity of breast and cervical cancer patients’journeys through the healthcare system, patients’ voices are still predominantly missing from the body of literature. Patient journey mapping, as a qualitative research method, offers an opportunity for centring patients in their care journeys and reimagine healthcare provision for the potential improvement of health systems and patient outcomes.  \nAim  \nThe aim of this study was to map journeys of breast and cervical cancer patients across the cancer care continuum.  \nMethods  \nUsing patient journey mapping, we conducted six focus group discussions with patients with breast and cervical cancer who had completed treatment in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape, South Africa. The process involved three steps: 1.) development of individual maps; 2.) narrative sharing; and 3.) development of a collective map. Results of the study were shared in feedback sessions.  \nFindings  \nA total of 31 people participated in the focus groups: 23 with breast cancer, 7 cervical cancer and one had both cancers during her lifetime. The participants’ ages ranged between 30 and 69 years old. A patient journey map was developed drawing on the individual and collective maps and participant narratives. The findings of  \nPLOS One | [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327113](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327113) March 25, 2026 1 / 19  \nand reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.  \nData availability statement: The data from this study cannot be shared publicly due to ethical restrictions imposed by the University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee, as public deposition may compromise patient privacy. Data are available for researchers who meet the criteria for access to confidential data via the University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee ([hrec-enquiries@uct.ac.za](hrec-enquiries@uct.ac.za)).  \nFunding: Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) Type B Grant. The funders had no role in study design, data analysis or decision to publish. The funder assisted with participant recruitment but was not present during data collection. Prof Jane Harries, who is the Head of Research at CANSA, provided input on ","cbCaipJu8NJtJnYt","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaipJu8NJtJnYt","pdf",669258,"English","# Abstract\n## Background\n## Aim\n## Methods\n## Findings\n## Conclusions\n# Introduction\n## Cancer burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)","[{\"question\":\"What is the purpose of using patient journey mapping in this study?\",\"answer\":\"Patient journey mapping is used to centre patients’ experiences, understand how care pathways unfold across the cancer care continuum, and inform improvements in health systems and patient outcomes.\"},{\"question\":\"How were participants’ cancer care journeys collected and analyzed?\",\"answer\":\"Six focus group discussions were conducted with breast and cervical cancer patients who had completed treatment. The process involved developing individual maps, sharing narratives, and creating a collective map, with results shared in feedback sessions.\"},{\"question\":\"What key themes emerged from the study findings?\",\"answer\":\"The analysis focused on three themes: (de)personalised care, self-advocacy, and intersecting vulnerabilities, including factors such as socioeconomic conditions, gender, comorbidities, and mental health.\"}]","Navigating cancer - Insights from patient journey mapping | PDF",1790100511,48]