Breast cancer prevalence and screening uptake among 1.46 million women in Inner Mongolia, China

Background: While disparities in breast cancer prevalence between urban and rural areas have been widely studied in China, economically underdeveloped regions such as Inner Mongolia remain under-researched. As an autonomous region with significant economic challenges, including industrial reliance a...

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Main Authors: Rui Guo, Cheng Tan, Yuxuan Gou, Jinling Shi, Fei Wang, Yibo Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:The Lancet Regional Health. Western Pacific
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606524003109
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author Rui Guo
Cheng Tan
Yuxuan Gou
Jinling Shi
Fei Wang
Yibo Wu
author_facet Rui Guo
Cheng Tan
Yuxuan Gou
Jinling Shi
Fei Wang
Yibo Wu
author_sort Rui Guo
collection DOAJ
description Background: While disparities in breast cancer prevalence between urban and rural areas have been widely studied in China, economically underdeveloped regions such as Inner Mongolia remain under-researched. As an autonomous region with significant economic challenges, including industrial reliance and environmental health risks, Inner Mongolia exemplifies the intersection of socioeconomic disadvantage and health inequalities. This study aims to explore breast cancer prevalence and screening uptake in Inner Mongolia, focusing on the disparities in early detection services among different socioeconomic groups. Methods: Data from the China Psychological and Behavioral Impact Survey (PBICR) and its breast cancer screening subset were analyzed, covering 1,459,868 women across 12 cities in Inner Mongolia from 2022 to 2024. Variables included demographics, behavioral factors, and family cancer history. Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in screening methods and prevalence across regions. Binary and ordinal logistic regression models identified factors influencing screening comprehensiveness, with a focus on the barriers faced by economically disadvantaged women. Findings: Among the women surveyed, 786 cases of breast cancer were reported, yielding a prevalence rate of 0.05%, consistent with the national average. The highest incidence was observed among women aged 40-50 years. Significant disparities in screening participation and methods were found (e.g., physical exams [χ2 = 1087.8, P < 0.001], ultrasounds [χ2 = 97.276, P < 0.001], X-ray exams [χ2 = 12643, P < 0.001], and pathological exams [χ2 = 219.81, P < 0.001]). Women from poverty-stricken households were less likely to receive comprehensive screening (β = -0.03, 95% CI: [-0.0377, -0.0193], P < 0.001), while younger women (β = -0.06, 95% CI: [-0.0679, -0.0493], P < 0.001) and those with higher education levels (primary school or below: β = -0.75, 95% CI: [-0.7678, -0.7337], university or above: β = 0.323, 95% CI: [0.3163, 0.3300], P < 0.001) were more likely to opt for multiple screening methods. Geographical disparities were also evident, with rural areas exhibiting lower participation rates and more limited access to advanced screening technologies. Interpretation: This study highlights significant health inequalities in breast cancer screening in Inner Mongolia, where economic hardship and geographical isolation disproportionately hinder access to early detection services. The findings suggest that policy interventions should prioritize economically underdeveloped regions to reduce health disparities and promote equitable healthcare access. Theoretically, this study underscores the importance of considering regional economic disparities in health inequality research, extending the current literature’s focus beyond urban-rural divides to encompass broader socioeconomic dimensions.
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spelling doaj-art-4d9bcff8add847d39d12c81304cb3fb92025-08-20T02:43:29ZengElsevierThe Lancet Regional Health. Western Pacific2666-60652025-02-015510131610.1016/j.lanwpc.2024.101316Breast cancer prevalence and screening uptake among 1.46 million women in Inner Mongolia, ChinaRui Guo0Cheng Tan1Yuxuan Gou2Jinling Shi3Fei Wang4Yibo Wu5Inner Mongolia Maternal and Child Health Hospital, ChinaPeking University, ChinaMinzu University of China, ChinaInner Mongolia Maternal and Child Health Hospital, ChinaInner Mongolia Maternal and Child Health Hospital, ChinaPeking University, China; Beijing Cancer Hospital, ChinaBackground: While disparities in breast cancer prevalence between urban and rural areas have been widely studied in China, economically underdeveloped regions such as Inner Mongolia remain under-researched. As an autonomous region with significant economic challenges, including industrial reliance and environmental health risks, Inner Mongolia exemplifies the intersection of socioeconomic disadvantage and health inequalities. This study aims to explore breast cancer prevalence and screening uptake in Inner Mongolia, focusing on the disparities in early detection services among different socioeconomic groups. Methods: Data from the China Psychological and Behavioral Impact Survey (PBICR) and its breast cancer screening subset were analyzed, covering 1,459,868 women across 12 cities in Inner Mongolia from 2022 to 2024. Variables included demographics, behavioral factors, and family cancer history. Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in screening methods and prevalence across regions. Binary and ordinal logistic regression models identified factors influencing screening comprehensiveness, with a focus on the barriers faced by economically disadvantaged women. Findings: Among the women surveyed, 786 cases of breast cancer were reported, yielding a prevalence rate of 0.05%, consistent with the national average. The highest incidence was observed among women aged 40-50 years. Significant disparities in screening participation and methods were found (e.g., physical exams [χ2 = 1087.8, P < 0.001], ultrasounds [χ2 = 97.276, P < 0.001], X-ray exams [χ2 = 12643, P < 0.001], and pathological exams [χ2 = 219.81, P < 0.001]). Women from poverty-stricken households were less likely to receive comprehensive screening (β = -0.03, 95% CI: [-0.0377, -0.0193], P < 0.001), while younger women (β = -0.06, 95% CI: [-0.0679, -0.0493], P < 0.001) and those with higher education levels (primary school or below: β = -0.75, 95% CI: [-0.7678, -0.7337], university or above: β = 0.323, 95% CI: [0.3163, 0.3300], P < 0.001) were more likely to opt for multiple screening methods. Geographical disparities were also evident, with rural areas exhibiting lower participation rates and more limited access to advanced screening technologies. Interpretation: This study highlights significant health inequalities in breast cancer screening in Inner Mongolia, where economic hardship and geographical isolation disproportionately hinder access to early detection services. The findings suggest that policy interventions should prioritize economically underdeveloped regions to reduce health disparities and promote equitable healthcare access. Theoretically, this study underscores the importance of considering regional economic disparities in health inequality research, extending the current literature’s focus beyond urban-rural divides to encompass broader socioeconomic dimensions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606524003109
spellingShingle Rui Guo
Cheng Tan
Yuxuan Gou
Jinling Shi
Fei Wang
Yibo Wu
Breast cancer prevalence and screening uptake among 1.46 million women in Inner Mongolia, China
The Lancet Regional Health. Western Pacific
title Breast cancer prevalence and screening uptake among 1.46 million women in Inner Mongolia, China
title_full Breast cancer prevalence and screening uptake among 1.46 million women in Inner Mongolia, China
title_fullStr Breast cancer prevalence and screening uptake among 1.46 million women in Inner Mongolia, China
title_full_unstemmed Breast cancer prevalence and screening uptake among 1.46 million women in Inner Mongolia, China
title_short Breast cancer prevalence and screening uptake among 1.46 million women in Inner Mongolia, China
title_sort breast cancer prevalence and screening uptake among 1 46 million women in inner mongolia china
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606524003109
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