Prevalence of Breast Cancer Screening in Asia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

K C Bhandari, Aliza; Htay, Zin Wai; Parvin, Rokshana; Murakami, Mutsumi; Abe, Sarah Krull

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.10.3379

Prevalence of Breast Cancer Screening in Asia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Document Type : Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Authors

¹ Division of Prevention, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, Tokyo, Japan.

² St. Luke’s International University, Graduate School of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan.

³ Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

⁴ Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Division of Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.10.3379

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women above 50 years of age. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at identifying the prevalence and trend of breast cancer screening among selected Asian countries. Methods: We searched three databases including, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using our search terms. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria specified in the PROSPERO (registration ID: CRD42023401516) and any conflicts were resolved through discussion. Two independent reviewers and conflicts also completed the full-text screening, which was solved. Relevant information was extracted in an Excel sheet and random effects meta-analysis was performed to identify the pooled estimate of breast cancer screening in Asia using Stata 17. Results: We identified 41 studies from 14 selected Asian countries reporting breast cancer screening rates from 2012-2023. The pooled estimate of four countries (China, Iran, Japan, and Korea) with more than three data points on clinical breast examination and mammographic screening showed a screening rate of 24% (95% CI: 0.20 - 0.27) and 18% (95% CI: (0.14 - 0.21) in the last ten years respectively. Conclusion: Most Asian countries do not have sufficient data on breast cancer screening due to a lack of nationally representative surveys or national-level cancer registries. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen cancer control policies including breast cancer screening programs.

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