Background: Breast cancer (BC) takes the first place in the structure of oncological diseases. Most of the cases are detected in advanced stages that found reflection in the development of infiltrative forms of cancer with consecutive complications effecting treatment outcome.

Aims and Objectives: Study aimed to find out trend of BC in the women population and determine screening program outcome in early detection of BC.

Methods: Descriptive study was conducted on the national surveillance data for the past decade and national cancer registry, operable since January, 2015. Screening date was obtained from the State Screening Program. Secondary data analysis of the cross- sectional survey on chronic pain assessment in advanced breast cancer patients in palliative care clinic was performed. Correlation analysis was employed. Study results were processed for significance.

Results: Age-specific incidence rates of BC are increasing in parallel with the increase of ages of the women population from 40 to 75. Increasing trend has also been observed in BC among young women of the age groups 20-39 and 40-44, however proportion of cancer cases in these ages has not changed significantly. Coverage level with screening of the target population (40-70 years old) remains within 9% countrywide. Correlation analysis detected strong association between screening coverage prevalence and BC incidence rates (µ=0.8; CI = 0.79 – 0.81, t=2.08). Every fourth or fifth case of breast cancer are detected at the advanced (IV) stage.

Conclusion: 1. It is of utmost importance to enforce the national early detection cancer program in primary health care institutions for the detection of breast cancer cases at the early stage.

2. Communication campaigns engaging non-governmental organizations and mass-media on education of women on early detection of breast cancer and overcome of stigma related to the screening fear should be initiated and put in place throughout the country.