[Perspectives] Overcoming barriers to early breast cancer presentation in Nigeria

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Nigeria and among women in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), who are often diagnosed at advanced stages of disease due to late presentation, health-care systems delays, or both. Early detection and timely treatment substantially improve outcomes of breast cancer, particularly in LMICs, which have the highest burden (70%) of cancer deaths globally. Hence, the Global Breast Cancer Initiative strongly recommends the promotion of early detection and timely diagnosis because breast health education has been shown to substantially increase early presentation and clinical downstaging.