Published in PLOS One on 2025-12-16, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Deogratius Bintabara, Costantine C. Kamata, Ramadhani Mohamedi, Namanya Basinda
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0338337
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Breast cancer remains an important public health problem with high mortality in low-income countries like Tanzania. This is because of the low uptake of screening for breast cancer, an intervention that could be cost-effective and significant in reducing mortality and poor prognosis in such a setting. This is a population-based survey to uncover the spatial distribution and determinants of low uptake of breast cancer screening among women of reproductive age in Tanzania.
This analytical cross-sectional study utilized data from 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (TDHS-MIS). A total of 15254 women aged 15–49 years were included in the analysis. The outcome variable was the uptake of breast cancer screening, coded as “1” for the women who reported a doctor or other healthcare provider examined their breasts to check for cancer, and “0” otherwise. Descriptive and geospatial analyses were conducted to assess patterns of screening uptake across regions. To identify associated factors, a mixed-effect multilevel logistic regression analysis was performed using Stata version 17. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported, and a significance level of p < 0.05 was used.
The findings revealed that only 5% of the respondents reported having undergone breast cancer screening in Tanzania. The lowest uptake was in the Western (2.17%) and Southern (3.34%) zones of Tanzania. Regions with the poorest uptake of breast cancer screening were Kigoma (1.68%), Katavi (1.94%), Singida (1.54%), and Tabora (1.66%). Women with older ages, formal education, health insurance coverage, and reading newspapers, magazines, or using the internet had higher odds of uptake breast cancer screening than their counterparts.
The uptake of breast cancer screening remains low throughout Tanzania and worst situation was noted in rural areas. Formal education, insurance coverage, and access to information continue to propel the low uptake of breast cancer screening in Tanzania. The fair distribution of health-promotive services could be vital in increasing uptake of breast cancer screening for the early detection and prevention of mortalities and other outcomes related to this severe disease.
Introduction
Breast cancer remains a significant public health problem, being both the most common and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally [1]. In 2022 it accounted for 2.3 million new cancer cases, making it the second most diagnosed after lung cancer which had 2.5 million cases [2]. In terms of mortality, BC ranked fourth, with 670000 deaths worldwide, trailing behind lung, colorectal, and liver cancers which were responsible for 1.8 million, 900,000, and 760,000 deaths, respectively [1,2]. Despite lower incidence rates, breast cancer mortality rates are disproportionately higher in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) than in High-Income Countries (HICs) [3]. This is potentially due to late diagnosis and limited access to effective targeted therapies. In Tanzania, Breast cancer ranks second only to cervical cancer in both incidence and mortality among women. In 2018, it was estimated that 3,037 new cases and 1,303 deaths occurred, and projections indicate that both incidence and mortality could increase by more than 120% by 2040 [4–6]. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for early detection and strategic public health interventions to mitigate the growing burden of breast cancer in the country.
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider financing & policy desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2025 Deogratius Bintabara, Costantine C. Kamata, Ramadhani Mohamedi, Namanya Basinda. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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- Evidence brief: Factors influencing breast cancer screening among reproductive age women in Lesotho: Analysis of the 2023-24 demographic and health survey using the Andersen Behavioral Model
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