1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background information

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths estimated at 685,000 in 2020 (1). In developing countries including the vast majority of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), BC is the second most common female malignancy after cervical cancer (1). In Tanzania, the incidence rates of BC are on the rise over the past two decades and were predicted to increase by over 80% by 2030 (2). About half of women diagnosed with BC in Tanzania die of the disease as majority of them present with advanced stage (stage III or IV) where treatment is less effective, expensive, and the outcomes are poor.

Awareness on the signs, symptoms and screening importance among womens is crucial for early diagnosis and detection of the disease before it progresses to late and advanced stages which are fatal (3). Different studies have documented and evidenced the lack of awareness of breast cancer among womens around the world (3).
In settings like Tanzania where screening mammography is not widely available, experts recommend that health systems prioritize expediting clinical breast assessment (CBA) for symptomatic women (4) CBA includes obtaining a history of breast symptoms, a general medical examination, and a clinical breast examination (CBE) (5). CBA is a critical triage step used to determine appropriate prioritization and is followed by appropriate diagnostic imaging and tissue pathology to determine if a breast concern is malignant or benign. Awareness and uptake of breast cancer screening services among womens attending at a regional hospital in Mwanza is still lacking which this study aims at assessing at.

1.2 Problem statement

In the past few decades, mortality rates have decreased in high-income countries, but breast cancer incidence and mortality rates in LMICs have dramatically increased (6). In the East African lower-middle–income country of Tanzania, it is estimated that 80% of breast cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages (7). Thus, high breast cancer mortality rates can be attributed, in part, to delayed diagnosis and treatment (8,9). This is attributed to lack of awareness and non-existent breast cancer screening programs which results in the rise of these mortality rates among patients (10).

1.3 Rationale of the study

The findings of this study on the awareness and uptake of screening services is crucial since will provide information which will help the government and other healthcare related organisations in evaluation of the matter in concern so as appropriate measures such as implementation of campaigns and policy formulation for facilitating early screening which will also improve awareness among the targeted population.

1.4 Research question

What is the awareness and uptake of breast cancer screening among women aged 30 years and above attending at Sekou Toure regional hospital Mwanza, Tanzania?

1.5 Research objectives

1.5.1 Broad objective

To determine the level of awareness and uptake of breast cancer screening services among women aged 30 years and above attending at Sekou Toure regional hospital Mwanza, Tanzania

1.5.2 Specific objectives

1. To determine the awareness of breast cancer screening among women aged 30 years and above attending at Sekou Toure
2. To determine the uptake of breast cancer screening services among women aged 30 years and above attending at Sekou Toure