Background:
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among Algerian women, accounting for 22.6% of all new cancer cases and the leading cause of female cancer mortality. Current opportunistic screening leads to late-stage diagnoses and inequitable access. Women aged 50–59 represent the largest and most epidemiologically relevant cohort in Algeria in 2024, making them an ideal target for initiating organized screening. With a projected 125.5% increase in breast cancer incidence by 2045, shifting to a structured, population-based program is urgently needed to improve early detection, survival, and cost-effectiveness.
Objectives:
Aligned with the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative, the program aims to reduce breast cancer mortality through a phased, pilot-to-scale approach. Specific 3-year pilot targets include:
Achieving 50–60% screening coverage in selected provinces.
Detecting ≥60% of cases at early stages (I–II).
Ensuring median times ≤30 days from invitation to screening and ≤60 days from abnormality to diagnosis.
Screening approximately 500,000 women, focusing on the most representative age cohort.
Methods:
The pilot targets women aged 50–59 in three representative provinces: Algiers (urban), Constantine or Sétif (regional urban), and Biskra (rural/intermediate). Key strategies include:
Digital Recruitment: Leveraging civil and insurance registries for active invitations via SMS/mobile notifications.
Hybrid Screening Infrastructure: Fixed mammography units in public hospitals complemented by mobile units for rural access.
Navigation and Triage: Structured referral pathways ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.
Centralized Data Management: A digital registry monitors participants from invitation to treatment, enabling quality assurance and KPI tracking.
Expected Results:
The pilot will establish SOPs, train radiology and pathology teams, and validate digital workflows. Screening 300,000–500,000 women will create a framework for national expansion. Full deployment for women aged 40–69 is projected by Year 8.
Conclusions:
Targeting the most representative cohort enables efficient early detection and maximizes public health impact. Integrating digital tools, mobile units, and multisectoral collaboration provides a feasible, scalable roadmap for a comprehensive National Breast Cancer Screening Program in Algeria, with high potential to reduce mortality and healthcare costs.