We speak to Florian Cyril Mshanga, a cancer advocate and Founder & Executive Director of the Feliciana Mshanga Memorial Cancer Foundation. He serves on the Patient and Caregiver Advisory Board of the Global GI Cancer Alliance, contributing to global patient-centred advocacy and policy engagement.
Tell us what led you to work in the field of lung cancer
My journey into cancer advocacy was shaped by personal loss and firsthand experience navigating gaps in the health system. While my work spans cancer broadly, I became engaged in lung cancer due to its high mortality, late diagnosis, and the urgent need to elevate awareness, early detection and policy prioritisation in low-resource settings.
What does an average work day look like for you?
My work spans community engagement, global advocacy and strategic collaboration. I coordinate cancer awareness and patient support initiatives in Tanzania that aim to ensure outreach is accessible and impactful, while contributing to international policy discussions that connect local realities to global health agendas.
Through the Young African Leaders Forum, I design programmes that support leadership, development and cross-border collaboration by strengthening governance and operational effectiveness.
What is working well in your country, and what could be improved for lung cancer treatment?
Tanzania has made important strides in expanding oncology services and national cancer control efforts. However, lung cancer outcomes remain challenged by late diagnosis, limited screening, and constrained access to advanced diagnostics and treatments. Strengthening early detection systems, investing in diagnostic infrastructure, and scaling awareness will be critical to improving outcomes.
What motivated you to join the Network?
I wanted to contribute to a global platform that amplifies patient voices and drives meaningful policy change. Lung cancer remains underprioritised, especially in low-resource settings. I saw an opportunity to bring African perspectives to global discussions and help shape more equitable, patient-centred solutions.
What would you like to see from the Network as it develops?
Stronger inclusion of low- and middle-income country voices, greater focus on early detection, and actionable policy frameworks that translate into real patient impact.
What changes would you like to see in lung cancer care on a global level?
I would like to see a shift toward earlier detection, equitable access to diagnostics and treatment, and stronger integration of patient-centred care. Reducing disparities between high- and low-resource settings is critical. Lung cancer care must also prioritise awareness, stigma reduction and policies that ensure no patient is left behind.
What do you think is the most exciting recent research finding in the last five years?
One of the most exciting advances has been the rapid progress in targeted therapies and immunotherapy, which are transforming outcomes for many patients. Additionally, growing evidence supporting low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for early detection offers a major opportunity to reduce mortality – if implemented equitably across different health systems, including low-resource settings.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy preparing my own meals, swimming and attending cultural events, particularly traditional dance. These activities help me stay balanced, and feel connected to my roots and energised, while also providing space for reflection and creativity beyond my professional commitments.
Florian Cyril Mshanga
The Lung Cancer Policy Network brings together lung cancer experts from around the world, united in their passion to eliminate lung cancer as a cause of death. We regularly share profiles of our members so that you can find out more about what led them to work in lung cancer and what changes they would like to see in lung cancer prevention and care on a global level.
