Factors influencing the therapeutic pathway of breast cancer patients in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America: A literature review

Abstract

Introduction: This study examined the factors influencing
the therapeutic pathway of breast cancer patients in three
distinct regions: Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin
America. It aimed to highlight the differences, similarities,
strengths and weaknesses of the factors influencing the
therapeutic pathways in these regions. The therapeutic
pathway includes the stages from diagnosis of the disease
to the treatments received. Methods: This analysis was
based on a comprehensive review of 51 articles and
reports out of 85, published between 2008 and 2022,
integrating data from the World Health Organization
(WHO), national health systems and international peer-
reviewed journals. The analysis focused on the factors
promoting or hindering the therapeutic pathway of
patients. Results: The analysis revealed that the
influences are summarized in socio-cultural, economic
and political factors. The application of WHO
recommendations had promoted an orientation of the
routes of the European zone towards early screening
since 2014. Sub-Saharan Africa remained behind due to
the weakness of evidence-based data on breast cancer.
Latin America had adopted policies of appropriation of
strategies by patients, for the choice of an adequate route.
The influencing factors in Europe and America were forces
in the majority. Conclusion: The main recommendation
for the sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America zones was
the development of policies focused on the specificities of
the countries