Health Informatics in Promoting Breast Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review of Benefits and Challenges

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality among women globally, with significant disparities in screening uptake. Technology-based tools are emerging and show the potential to promote breast cancer screening (BCS), especially for underserved populations.

This review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines and the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome framework. We reviewed 24 peer-reviewed articles from databases including ProQuest Central, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore published before February 21, 2025, which explore the efficacy of technology use in promotion of BCS.

The included studies used diverse technologies, including videos, mobile health, websites, and sensor-based tools. The tools covered a variety of aspects for BCS promotion, including patient education, reminders, risk assessment, and competency building. Video-based interventions showed mixed results on BCS knowledge enhancement and screening rate promotion. Culturally tailored programs were effective in increasing screening rates among immigrant populations. Short messaging service reminders and web-based decision aids were associated with higher adherence and less decisional conflict. Challenges included technical barriers, limited digital access, and low engagement, which hinder the efficacy of the tools.

Technology-based interventions are promising to improve BCS uptake, especially when tailored to cultural and linguistic needs. However, addressing barriers such as digital literacy and accessibility is critical for equitable implementation. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and diverse populations to optimize these interventions and reduce disparities in screening adherence.