Socioeconomic Disparities in Self-Reported Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Among Women of Reproductive Age: A National Survey

Abstract

Background: Breast and cervical cancers are leading causes of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide, with disproportionate burdens in low- and middle-income countries. Socioeconomic disparities influence awareness, diagnosis, and treatment, yet population-level evidence from sub-Saharan Africa remains limited. This study examined the prevalence, socio-demographic determinants, and treatment uptake of self-reported breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age using nationally representative survey data.

Methods: Secondary data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) were analyzed, including 32,156 women aged 15–49 years. A subsample of 16,901 women with complete cancer-related data was used to assess self-reported breast and cervical cancer diagnoses. Logistic regression models were fitted to examine associations between socio-demographic, reproductive, and nutritional factors with cancer diagnosis and treatment uptake. Sampling weights accounted for the complex survey design.

Results: Self-reported prevalence was low, with 0.17% (n = 29) for breast cancer and 0.17% (n = 28) for cervical cancer. Among diagnosed cases, 34.48% of breast cancer and 50.00% of cervical cancer patients reported receiving treatment. Wealth status and recent childbirth were independently associated with breast cancer, with women in the poorer (aOR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.04–0.73) and middle (aOR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.08–0.95) wealth quintiles less likely to report breast cancer than those in the poorest quintile, and recent parity increasing the odds of breast cancer (aOR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.03–5.69). No significant predictors were identified for cervical cancer or treatment uptake for either cancer type.

Conclusion: Socioeconomic disparities influence self-reported breast cancer, while gaps in treatment uptake for both cancers highlight structural barriers in care. Strengthening early detection, equitable access to treatment, and public awareness programs is critical. Further research including clinically verified diagnoses and broader age groups is needed to better understand determinants of cancer burden and healthcare utilization.