Checks: Investigating the Association Between Internet Usage and Women’s Uptake of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings in Selected African Countries

Background A 2026 report revealed more than 1 million cancer cases, and 1 million deaths occur annually in Africa. This study examined the association between Internet use and women’s uptake of clinical breast examination (CBE), and clinical cervical test (CCT) in some African countries, comparing daily Internet users (IUs) with non‐users. Methods This study analysed data from 49,940 women surveyed in the 2023 Mozambique, 2021 Côte d’Ivoire, 2023 Lesotho and 2023 Senegal Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). A two sample proportion test was used to assess whether screening uptake differed between IUs and non‐users, and logistic regression analysis evaluated the association between Internet use and screening uptake. Results Daily Internet use rates vary across countries: Côte d’Ivoire 12.1%, Mozambique 19.5%, Senegal 34.0% and Lesotho 52.8%. IUs had higher uptake in Côte d’Ivoire: CBE (26.9% vs. 11.1%, p < 0.01) and CCT (11.0% vs. 3.0%, p < 0.01); those in Mozambique: CBE (20.3% vs. 6.8%, p < 0.01) and CCT (20.6% vs. 6.4%, p < 0.01); in Lesotho, CBE showed no difference; while respondents in Senegal, CBE was not significant and CCT (9.4% vs. 7.3%, p = 0.01) compared to non‐Internet users (NIUs). With reference to NIUs, daily use of Internet in Côte d’Ivoire and Mozambique was associated with higher odds of cancer screening. For CBE (Côte d’Ivoire: AOR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.09−1.69, p < 0.01; Mozambique: AOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.15−1.78, p < 0.01). For CCT (Mozambique: AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.13−1.74, p < 0.01; Côte d’Ivoire: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.02–2.14, p < 0.05), while no significant associations were found in Senegal or Lesotho. Conclusion Daily Internet use is linked to higher women’s cancer screening participation in countries with low digital adoption, highlighting the need for better internet infrastructure and enhanced digital health literacy.