Breast Cancer Care Challenges and Opportunities in Benin

Breast cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, posing a significant health challenge that transcends continents and economic status. In West Africa, and particularly in the nation of Benin, oncology as a medical specialty is still in its nascent stages, grappling with numerous systemic challenges. A groundbreaking qualitative study published in BMC Cancer in 2025 brings to light the multifaceted barriers—and emerging opportunities—that shape access to oncology care for breast cancer patients in Benin. This in-depth exploration highlights not only the struggles faced but also underscores a cautiously optimistic trajectory for cancer care in this West African country.

Breast cancer’s global prevalence is indisputable, yet the infrastructure and resources available to diagnose and treat this disease vary drastically from one region to another. Benin, a country with limited healthcare resources and emerging oncology practices, offers a revealing case study into the complexities of cancer management in low-income settings. Due to a paucity of local data and academic attention, the healthcare landscape around breast cancer care remained poorly characterized until now. This study’s qualitative design, involving extensive interviews and observations, provides a crucial, patient-centered perspective on the realities of accessing oncology care in Benin.

The researchers employed fifty-six semi-structured interviews to capture diverse viewpoints from oncology caregivers, women directly impacted by breast cancer, and representatives from cancer support associations. This comprehensive approach ensured a rich understanding of the personal, cultural, and systemic dimensions influencing patient journeys. Additionally, participant observation within chemotherapy and palliative care departments in Cotonou—the country’s largest city and oncological hub—offered empirical insights into facility capabilities and patient experiences. Analyzing these qualitative data through Levesque et al.’s theoretical framework on health care access allowed the researchers to dissect the intricate interplay of factors shaping treatment pathways and outcomes.

One of the most stark revelations of the study is the delayed diagnosis common among women with breast cancer, a typical scenario in many low-resource settings that substantially limits the effectiveness of subsequent treatments. Socio-cultural dynamics further complicate timely intervention, with prevailing beliefs favoring traditional medicine and resistance to surgical procedures like mastectomy. These attitudes not only delay clinical engagement but also foster stigma, discouraging women from seeking or adhering to biomedical treatments. The cultural context thus forms a critical lens through which health policies and education efforts must be tailored.

In addition to societal barriers, structural healthcare limitations heavily restrict patients’ access to optimal care. Oncology services in Benin are heavily centralized in Cotonou, compelling women from rural or distant regions to undertake arduous travel in pursuit of treatment. This centralization exacerbates geographic inequities and imposes financial burdens on patients, often leading to incomplete treatment courses. Furthermore, the country currently lacks radiotherapy facilities, forcing patients needing such interventions to seek care internationally—a logistical and economic challenge that many cannot surmount.

The scarcity of specialized oncology caregivers represents another bottleneck in care delivery. Insufficient numbers of trained professionals translate into chaotic treatment pathways and diminished quality of care. This shortage is compounded by limited diagnostic infrastructure and the prohibitive costs associated with biomedical tests and medications. As a result, many patients face the heartbreaking decision to abandon care midway, worsening not only their prognosis but also reinforcing existing health disparities.

Yet amid this array of challenges, the study also highlights promising advancements in Benin’s oncology landscape. The establishment of the Inter-University Diploma in Gynaecological and Breast Oncology in 2013 marked a critical step towards building local expertise, equipping healthcare workers with oncology-specific skills previously scarce in the region. The expansion of palliative care services similarly represents a compassionate progression, ensuring that even patients with advanced disease receive symptom management and psychosocial support.

Looking ahead, the projected inauguration of the Calavi International Hospital Centre in 2025 stands as a beacon of hope for enhanced cancer care infrastructure. This new facility is expected to bring state-of-the-art resources, including but not limited to radiotherapy capabilities, within Benin’s borders—potentially transforming the patient experience and reducing dependency on external healthcare systems. This development symbolizes a commitment not only to health system strengthening but also to integrating oncology into national health priorities.

The research also surfaces the critical need for sustained efforts in health financing and civil society engagement. Financing models that alleviate out-of-pocket expenditures are vital to prevent care abandonment driven by financial hardship. Concurrently, empowering community organizations to raise breast cancer awareness and dispel misconceptions can shift health-seeking behaviors, encouraging earlier presentation and adherence to treatment protocols. Together, these components form the pillars of a more equitable and effective cancer control strategy.

This study’s findings resonate beyond Benin’s borders, echoing the struggles of many low- and middle-income countries confronting the global cancer epidemic. It emphasizes how intertwined cultural beliefs, health system capacity, and socioeconomic factors collectively frame oncology access. Thus, interventions must be multifaceted and locally contextualized, moving away from one-size-fits-all approaches towards tailored solutions that recognize each country’s unique challenges and strengths.

Importantly, the qualitative nature of the research illuminates patient voices often missing from quantitative data, revealing lived experiences with nuance and depth. By bridging gaps between caregivers, patients, and policy stakeholders, the study paves the way for more inclusive cancer care reforms. In highlighting both barriers and opportunities, it calls for integrated strategies encompassing education, infrastructure, training, financing, and community advocacy.

The documented challenges in Benin—ranging from delayed diagnosis to fragmented treatment pathways—underscore the urgency for coordinated action. Addressing these issues is not merely a medical imperative but a human rights concern, ensuring that all women have access to timely, high-quality breast cancer care regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location. The evolving oncology landscape in Benin offers a compelling example of resilience and progress in the face of resource constraints.

As global health priorities increasingly focus on non-communicable diseases, studies like this one provide essential roadmaps for strengthening cancer care capacity in under-resourced settings. The intersection of qualitative insights with health systems analysis equips policymakers with actionable knowledge to drive impactful change. Ultimately, the fight against breast cancer in Benin is emblematic of larger global efforts to democratize health access and improve outcomes through innovation, education, and collaboration.

In conclusion, this comprehensive qualitative study paints a vivid picture of the oncology scene in Benin, revealing systemic fragilities alongside emerging strengths. While obstacles persist—such as infrastructural deficits, workforce shortages, and socio-cultural barriers—the country’s growing commitment to transform breast cancer care offers a hopeful narrative. It underscores the importance of sustained investment and multi-sectoral cooperation to turn potential into palpable progress, ensuring that women in Benin receive the cancer care they deserve.

Subject of Research: Barriers and opportunities related to access to oncology care for breast cancer patients in Benin

Article Title: Barriers and opportunities related to access to oncology care in Benin: a qualitative study on breast cancer

Article References:
Schantz, C., Gnangnon, F.H., Aboubakar, M. et al. Barriers and opportunities related to access to oncology care in Benin: a qualitative study on breast cancer. BMC Cancer 25, 947 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14325-3

Image Credits: Scienmag.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14325-3

Tags: access to oncology servicesbarriers to cancer treatmentBreast cancer care in Benincancer management in developing nationsemerging opportunities in cancer careglobal breast cancer prevalencehealthcare infrastructure in low-income countriesoncology challenges in West Africapatient-centered oncology perspectivesqualitative study on breast cancersystemic healthcare challengeswomen’s health issues in Benin