Global Research Landscape of Determinants of Late-stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis
Dinara Zholmukhamedova, Maiya Taushanova, Anara Tulyaeva, Marzhan Aitmagambetova
A
BSTRACT
Background:
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide, with late-stage diagnosis contributing significantly to increased mortality and poor prognosis. Understanding the research landscape and determinants associated with delayed diagnosis is essential for improving early detection strategies and reducing global disparities.
Objective:
This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to evaluate global research trends, key contributors, collaboration patterns, and thematic structures related to determinants of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis.
Materials and Methods:
A descriptive bibliometric analysis was performed using data retrieved from the PubMed database. A structured search strategy combining Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords related to breast cancer, late-stage diagnosis, and associated determinants was applied. A total of 999 records were identified, of which 935 publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Bibliometric analyses were conducted using the Bibliometrix package in R and VOSviewer to assess publication trends, citation impact, co-authorship networks, and conceptual structures.
Results:
The results demonstrated a substantial increase in publication output over time, particularly after 2010, indicating growing scientific interest in the field. Research productivity and citation impact were highly concentrated in high-income countries, with the United States and European nations leading global contributions. Collaboration networks revealed strong connections among developed regions, while low- and middle-income countries remained underrepresented. Thematic and conceptual analyses showed that the dataset was predominantly characterized by bibliometric and methodological research themes, with limited representation of clinically oriented topics such as diagnostic delay and healthcare access.
Conclusion:
This study highlights a growing but uneven research landscape in late-stage breast cancer diagnosis. Despite increasing scientific output, significant gaps remain in thematic focus and global representation. Future research should prioritize clinically relevant determinants, improve search strategies, and enhance contributions from underrepresented regions to better address disparities in breast cancer outcomes.