Breast cancer in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries: A scoping review of clinicopathological and molecular patterns

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women worldwide, and countries in the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) region are witnessing a rapidly rising burden. With diverse populations and varying healthcare infrastructure, understanding the clinical profile of breast cancer in this region is essential for targeted interventions. This scoping review evaluated published literature from 2000 to 2025, identifying 18 relevant studies from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan through searches on PubMed and Embase. The review highlights that breast cancer in South Asia tends to present at a younger age, with a median age at diagnosis ranging from 43 to 52 years, significantly younger than Western cohorts. A high proportion of patients present with locally advanced or metastatic disease, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, indicating delays in diagnosis and limited access to screening. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) shows disproportionately high prevalence in India (up to 43%) and Pakistan (28–35%), suggesting aggressive disease biology in the region. The Luminal B subtype appears more common in Nepal. Despite valuable insights, the available literature demonstrates heterogeneity in methodology and inconsistent reporting of immunohistochemical markers. These findings underscore the need for region-specific strategies emphasizing early detection, standardised molecular profiling, and strengthened oncology infrastructure to reduce the cancer care gap across SAARC nations.