Breast Cancer Screening in Asian Countries: Epidemiology, Screening Practices, Outcomes, Challenges, and Future Directions

In 2022, nearly 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer were reported globally, with less than half of these cases originating from Asia. Despite the relatively low incidence of breast cancer in most parts of Asia, the mortality-to-incidence ratio remains high. Low-income countries lack resources for breast cancer screening, whereas high-income countries fail to fully benefit from national breast screening programs because of the underutilization of preventive healthcare services. There is a notable difference in the age distribution of breast cancer cases between Asian and Western populations, with the prevalence peaking approximately a decade earlier in Asian women and most commonly affecting those aged 40-50 years. Existing literature on breast cancer trends, screening guidelines, and clinical practices in Asian countries, particularly regarding regional variations and healthcare system differences, is relatively sparse. Gaining a deeper understanding of how different Asian countries are implementing breast cancer screening in response to the rising incidence of the disease can help identify tailored strategies for early detection, ultimately contributing to a reduction in breast cancer-related mortality. This review explored the current breast cancer landscape, including breast cancer screening guidelines and outcomes of screening examinations in Asia, highlighting key challenges and future directions.