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This research investigates the disparities in breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment among women in Brazil, highlighting the need for policy changes.

March 13, 2026Open Access

Disparities in breast cancer screening, stage at diagnosis, and treatment in Brazil: a warning of the need to change public policies

Key Points

This research investigates the disparities in breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment among women in Brazil, highlighting the need for policy changes.
Ecological, temporal series study assessing breast cancer mammography screening and clinical staging from 2013 to 2022.
Data extracted from the Unified Health System (DATASUS) databases.
Population includes women aged 40–49, 50–69, and ≥70 across different geographical regions.
Significant decrease in mammography screening rates for women aged 40-49 (-10.79% per year) between 2013 and 2020.
Increased rates of advanced-stage diagnoses among all age groups, with the highest increase in ages 40–49 and ≥70.
More than 50% of cases had treatment initiation delays exceeding 60 days, particularly noted for ages 50-69 and ≥70.

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent form of cancer in Brazilian women, contributing significantly to cancer-related mortality, particularly when diagnosed at advanced stages. This ecological, temporal series study evaluated breast cancer mammography screening rate, clinical staging, and the time from diagnosis to treatment initiation in women of 40–49, 50–69 and \: \: 70 years of age in Brazil, its geographical regions, and states between 2013 and 2022. The data were extracted from databases of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). There was a decreasing trend in mammography screening rate for the 40-49-year age group between 2013 and 2020 (Annual Percentual Change- APC= -10. 79; p 50% of cases in all age groups, with an increasing trend in women of 50–69 (APC = 1. 27; p < 0. 001) and \: \: 70 years of age (APC=1. 83; p < 0. 001). This study highlights the urgent need for public policies to increase BC mammography screening rate beyond the 50-69-year age group, and to guarantee equitable access to early diagnosis and timely treatment, particularly in less affluent areas. Dealing with these disparities is crucial to improving BC outcomes in Brazil, positively influencing clinical stage at diagnosis, treatment efficacy, and ultimately, survival and mortality.

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