Socioeconomic factors affecting breast and cervical cancer screening compliance in Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance countries: a systematic review.

Abstract

Objectives: Breast and cervical cancers are the most frequently diagnosed cancers in women. The Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) has strengthened cancer control efforts in the Asia region; however, only a few countries have achieved sufficient participation rates. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the existing evidence on socioeconomic factors influencing women's compliance with breast and cervical cancer screening in ANCCA countries.

Methods: This study was conducted as a systematic review, with studies collected from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase. All included studies employed cross-sectional designs to identify socioeconomic factors affecting compliance with breast or cervical cancer screening. Study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction were carried out by 2 independent reviewers with cross-checking.

Results: In total, 48 studies were reviewed. Education level and family history were associated with participation in breast cancer screening, while education level, household income, marital status, and medical insurance were linked with cervical cancer screening. When stratified by Human Development Index (HDI) level or by the presence of a National Cancer Screening Program, differences were observed in the factors influencing screening compliance. Nevertheless, higher education consistently correlated with higher screening rates for both cancer types, regardless of HDI level.

Conclusion: This systematic review identified multiple socioeconomic factors that shape breast and cervical cancer screening compliance in Asian countries. To reduce disparities in participation, tailored multi-strategy approaches adapted to each country's specific context are required. These findings may provide useful evidence for future research and policy initiatives aimed at addressing health equity issues.