Analysing Breast Cancer Screening Trends in Rural Saudi Arabia: Vision 2030 Context

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer ranks among the most prevalent cancers in Saudi Arabia. Despite this, screening rates are lower compared to other countries, especially in rural regions. AIM: To investigate the effect of the NHSTP on breast cancer screening and diagnosis among women attending healthcare clinics in Bisha, a rural area of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of 2023 data retrieved from the Bisha Health Directorate and the breast cancer screening dashboard at the Ministry of Health (MOH) for both the Bisha region and national-level data. A frequency analysis for breast cancer screening and diagnosis in women attending healthcare clinics in Bisha was performed. Historical data from 2017-2023 were analyzed to compare pre- and post-NHSTP implementation periods. Secondary data on screening facilities, infrastructure improvements, and national screening benchmarks in the Bisha region were also analyzed. RESULTS: In 2023, the Bisha health cluster had a monthly breast cancer screening goal of 668 women and a total of 8016 women for the calendar year. Aggregated services were provided to 7101 women, resulting in a coverage rate of 88.6% in 2023 compared to the annual goal. This is a significant increase from 2022, during which 3212 women were screened in the Bisha region. The number of diagnosed breast cancer cases increased from 45 in 2022 to 88 in 2023, though the prevalence of diagnosed cases decreased from 1.4% to 1.2% as screening expanded to include more lower-risk women. Infrastructure improvements included an increase from 3 to 6 mammography devices between 2021 and 2023. CONCLUSION: Substantial growth in breast cancer screening and early diagnosis has been observed in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. A rising trend in the proportion of women utilizing breast cancer screening services, following the establishment of new facilities, was observed in the Bisha region after the implementation of the NHSTP.