A recent study has revealed a significant gap in breast cancer survival rates, highlighting how access to early detection and treatment varies globally. While breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide, survival chances are heavily influenced by a patient’s location.
The study, published in Nature Medicine on February 24, presents a detailed global analysis of breast cancer trends. Researchers found that although wealthier nations report higher numbers of breast cancer diagnoses, lower- and middle-income countries experience significantly higher mortality rates. This disparity is largely due to limited screening programs and restricted access to effective treatment options.
“This is the most comprehensive global assessment of breast cancer to date,” says Rudolf Kaaks, a cancer epidemiologist at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg.
Led by Miranda Fidler-Benaoudia from Alberta Health Services in Canada, the research examined breast cancer cases and deaths in 2022 and projected trends for 2050 across 185 countries. The study also analyzed breast cancer trends over the past decade.
In 2022, there were 2.3 million new breast cancer cases worldwide, resulting in 670,000 deaths. Despite lower incidence rates in poorer regions, mortality rates were significantly higher. In low-income countries, women under 50 were found to be four times more likely to die from breast cancer than their counterparts in high-income nations.
Economic and healthcare disparities play a crucial role in these outcomes, Fidler-Benaoudia explains. Wealthier countries benefit from widespread screening and advanced treatment options, which help reduce fatalities. In contrast, lower-income nations struggle with limited screening, delayed diagnoses, and inadequate treatment access.
If current trends persist, the number of new breast cancer cases could rise to 3.2 million by 2050, with deaths increasing to 1.1 million. Low-income countries are projected to see a 145% surge in both cases and fatalities. However, the study warns that data from these regions may be imprecise due to a lack of well-established cancer registries. “Accurate data is essential for designing effective cancer control strategies,” Fidler-Benaoudia emphasizes.
Experts stress the urgent need for increased investment in breast cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, particularly in lower-income nations. Kaaks warns that without intervention, the issue will only worsen. “This challenge will not resolve itself,” he says.
