Effectiveness of breast cancer campaigns in South Asia

Despite the growing burden of cancer, it remains a low priority in healthcare planning and budgeting in South Asian low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Mass public awareness about cancer signs and symptoms and encouragement to seek help is an important step towards early diagnosis. Due to scarcity of resources in South Asia, the scale of awareness campaigns is limited, and provision of drugs and curative services take precedence over preventative measures. Several misconceptions and superstitious beliefs regarding the treatment of breast cancer with homeopathic medicine and unconventional religious peers provide a challenge to awareness campaigns. Along with that, shortage of staff and transportation add to the difficulties of conducting these campaigns. Interventions such as role plays, weekly clinics providing counseling for the disease, and measures such as pamphlets and presentations have been considered useful. This review assesses the challenges faced by breast cancer awareness campaigns and the interventions that could help in bringing mortality rates lower.