Breast Cancer Screening among Young Women in Tanzania: Findings from the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey.

IntroductionBreast cancer is a major public health challenge and the most common malignancy among women globally. Screening remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing late-stage diagnoses. This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with breast cancer screening among young women in Tanzania.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey, including women aged 15-35 years. The outcome was self-reported breast cancer screening, defined as preventive practices among asymptomatic women, including breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), or mammography. Logistic regression models were applied to identify factors associated with screening.ResultsA total of 10 733 women (mean age 24 ± 5.9 years) were analyzed. The prevalence of breast cancer screening was 3.39% (95% CI: 3.07-3.75). Higher odds of screening were observed among women aged 25-35 years (aOR 2.30), those with primary or higher education (aORs ≈ 2.15), who were married/cohabiting (aOR 1.52), employed in professional or skilled manual occupations (aORs ≈ 1.70), aware of their HIV-positive status (aOR 2.59), covered by health insurance (aOR 2.59), and using modern contraceptives (aOR 1.40). In contrast, women residing in the Western zone had lower odds of screening (aOR 0.34).ConclusionBreast cancer screening among young Tanzanian women was uncommon. Screening was associated with sociodemographic, reproductive, and health system factors, with particularly low uptake in the Western zone. These findings suggest the need to consider integrating breast health education into family planning and HIV services, expanding health insurance coverage, and implementing targeted outreach in underserved regions to enhance early detection and reduce disparities.