Women-Centric Breast Cancer Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Challenges, Solutions, and a Roadmap for Equity
Jabed Iqbal
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a critical public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where late-stage diagnoses, limited access to care, and fragmented survivorship support exacerbate disparities in outcomes. This manuscript examines the systemic barriers to delivering women-centric breast cancer care in LMICs, including geographic and socioeconomic inequities, underfunded prevention efforts, and gaps in policy implementation. Building on a proposed roadmap for reform, we advocate for culturally adaptive strategies, community co-creation, and investment in scalable care models. By prioritizing women's unique needs and fostering multisectoral collaboration, LMICs can transform breast cancer care from survival-focused to empowerment-driven, even amid resource constraints.