In a revealing interview with The High Street Journal, Dr Festus Nii Boye Boye, a Diabetes Specialist of the Trust Hospital shared a sobering view on the rising incidence of breast cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the disease is often diagnosed too late for effective treatment.
According to Dr. Festus Nii Boye Boye, the lack of early detection programs, coupled with economic hardship, has created a lethal combination for many women in developing nations. He explained that while breast cancer survival rates in North America stand at around 84%, they drop to as low as 40-60% in low income countries, where health systems are ill-equipped to cope with the growing burden.
Dr Festus Nii Boye Boye attributed this grim situation largely to the high cost of living and low incomes in developing countries.
“Most women can’t afford routine screenings or timely treatment,” he said, adding that even when diagnosis is possible, many are unable to pay for the necessary care. The financial strain on families forces many women to forego their health needs in favour of feeding their families or keeping their jobs.
The situation is exacerbated by the lack of financial security, leaving women trapped between the rising cost of living and limited access to life-saving healthcare services.
The absence of free widespread screening programs in these countries means breast cancer is usually caught at more advanced stages, leading to more aggressive treatments and higher costs. This, in turn, leads to poorer outcomes. “By the time we see many of these women, the disease has progressed to a point where treatment options are limited and expensive.”
Dr Festus Nii Boye Boye remarked: “Early detection, which has helped reduce breast cancer death rates by 36% in the USA, is not available to the majority of women in LMICs.”
In addition to the financial barriers, Dr Festus Nii Boye Boye noted that there are social and cultural factors at play. In patriarchal societies, women’s health is often sidelined, and there is a widespread fear and stigma associated with cancer.
“Many women fear losing their jobs or being socially ostracized if they are diagnosed with cancer,” Dr. Boye Boye explained. The misconception that cancer is a death sentence further discourages women from seeking timely medical help, compounding the problem.
Moreover, health systems in developing countries often lack standardized treatment protocols, leading to disparities in the quality of care. Infrastructure and healthcare standards vary, leaving many women to adopt inconsistent clinical practices.
Dr Festus Nii Boye Boye stressed the need for international guidelines, such as those from the Breast Health Global Initiative and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, to be adapted to the realities of LMICs.
Dr Festus Nii Boye Boye emphasized the importance of increasing awareness and accessibility to breast cancer care in developing countries. “We need to address the economic, social, and health system barriers that women face,” he said. “Until we do, breast cancer will continue to claim the lives of women who could have been saved by early detection and timely treatment.”
