The incidence of breast cancer in Asian countries is continuously rising, with breast cancer-causing anincrease in mortality among Asian women. The impact of low screening uptake is a matter of concern as inmost cases, cancers have been diagnosed in the advanced stages where medical intervention is not curablebut only intended to improve the quality of care. Therefore, there has been comprehensive advocacy forearly detection and treatment of breast cancer as a strategy to mitigate breast cancer-related morbidityand mortality rates. This paper reviewed existing research on breast cancer screening and the factors thatare associated with breast cancer screening among Asian women. The findings from numerous studiesconducted in Asian countries provides evidence that the number of factors such as socio-demographiccharacteristics, knowledge on breast cancer, including its symptoms and risk factors as well as breastcancer screening modalities, beliefs or perceptions and barriers in terms of structural, psychological,cultural and social factors influences women's adherence to the preventive health promotive behaviour -breast cancer screening. These findings direct to the need for well-planned strategies and intervention thatare culturally sensitive and specifically tailored to the needs of Asian women to successfully promote andadvocate the importance of breast health, early detection of breast cancer and adoption of dynamic routinescreening behaviours.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among women. Breast cancer is identified as the second-highest cancer in the Maldives and the most common cancer among females. Early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer facilitate effective treatment and cure. The main objective of the study is to identify the factors that serve as potential predictors for breast cancer screening uptake (CBE and Mammography) among women in the Male’ region. The cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 women aged 20-79 years in the Male’ region. Stratified random sampling was used to select the study sample. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. About 41.40% and 34.40% of the respondents reported ever having a CBE and a mammogram done respectively. Significant predictors for CBE uptake were age [OR=1.045, 95% CI(1.019-1.072)], ever being diagnosed for any breast disease [OR=12.405, 95% CI(4.099-37.541)], having regular medical check-up [OR=2.156, 95% CI(1.301-3.573)], knowledge on early detection of BC [OR=1.108, 95% CI(1.030-1.193)], perceptions on the susceptibility to BC [OR=1.100, 95% CI(1.022-1.184)], perceptions on the benefits of CBE [OR=1.163, 95% CI(1.036-1.306)], perceptions on barriers towards CBE [OR=0.926, 95% CI(0.866-0.991)], self-efficacy [OR=0.960, 95% CI(0.925-0.996)] and ever performed BSE [OR=2.447, 95% CI(1.423-4.209)]. Significant predictors for mammography screening uptake were having regular medical check-up [OR=2.896, 95% CI(1.289-6.503)], benefits of mammography screening [OR=1.131, 95% CI(1.003-1.277)], and ever done CBE [OR=19.135, 95% CI(7.461-49.077)]. Breast cancer screening uptake rates among Maldivian women are found to be low. Focused and well-planned multiple strategies are needed to enhance the health-promoting and preventive behaviours among Maldivian women for better management of breast cancer burden in the country.

Breast cancer (BC), is the most common cancer that affects women, and one of the significant causes of mortality among them. Screening and early detection of the disease are encouraged as a means of reducing mortality and enhancing the prognosis. The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) uptake and to identify the factors that are associated with the BSE uptake among Maldivian women in the Male’ region. The cross-sectional study was carried out over a period of 3 months in the Male’ region, of the Maldives. A total of 600 female citizens aged 20-79 years were selected using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. About 82.70%, 54.80%, and 63.30% of the respondents had heard about BC, breast cancer screening (BCS), and BSE respectively. 50.80% of the respondents had ever performed BSE with only 22.00% performed it regularly. The significant predictors for BSE uptake were: ever heard about BC [OR=2.069, 95% CI(1.081-3.959)], ever heard about BSE [OR=2.342, 95% CI(1.326-4.137)], ever heard about clinical breast examination (CBE) [OR=1.946, 95% CI(1.117-3.390)], knowledge on early detection of BC [OR=1.077, 95% CI(1.011-1.148)], perceptions on the severity of BC [OR=1.062, 95% CI(1.010-1.116)], perceptions on barriers towards BSE [OR=0.900, 95% CI(0.846-0.958)] and self-efficacy [OR=1.112, 95% CI(1.076-1.150)]. The findings indicated that there is a pressing need for continued education and behaviour modification intervention programs using theories and models to increase women’s overall knowledge and awareness of BC and BCS and modify the long-held incorrect beliefs and misconceptions. In particular, the relevant authorities should play a proactive role in raising awareness of BC and promote BCS.