82% predicted increase in the number of new breast cancers diagnosed in Tanzania by 2030

Cervical cancer ranks as the 1st most frequent cancer among women in Tanzania and the 1st most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age.

Following cervical cancer, breast cancer is the second most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Tanzania.

Current estimates indicate that every year 9772 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 6695 die from the disease.

The lifetime risk for developing breast cancer in Tanzania is approximately 1 in 20, and approximately half of all women diagnosed with breast cancer in Tanzania will die of the disease.

A number of key challenges impede availability and access to care. These challenges result in fragmented, unclear and inefficient clinical pathways for women with breast health concerns and create significant delays in detection, diagnosis and treatment. As a result, approximately 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Tanzania are diagnosed at advanced stages (III or IV), when treatment is less effective and outcomes are poor.

Economic issues—both at institutional and at individual levels—also present significant barriers to care. While health care for women diagnosed with breast cancer is free of charge, women are still expected to pay for essential services and commodities.

At the primary and district levels, health care workers are in need of additional training in breast health education, clinical breast examination and appropriate referral when abnormalities are found.