Authors: Benjamin O. Anderson, David B. Thomas, Joseph Lipscomb, Raul Murillo
The majority of global breast cancer deaths occur in in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Low breast cancer survival rates in LMICs are attributable to late-stage presentation, limited diagnostic capacity and inadequate treatment delivery due to lack of necessary healthcare resources. The Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI), established in 2002, developed guidelines that are resource-stratified, evidence-based, culturally appropriate and economically feasible, to promote early detection followed by appropriate treatment in limited-resource settings. Here we describe BHGI guidelines and their implementation; review cost-effectiveness of breast-cancer interventions in these settings, review case examples of relevant field studies, and identify next steps in reducing breast-cancer morbidity and mortality rates worldwide.