Objective To understand the willingness and influencing factors of participating in early screening among ethnic minority patients with breast cancer in rural areas. Methods Between January 2022 and June 2022, a phenomenological research method was conducted and 12 patients with breast cancer were selected for a semi-structured retrospective interview, and the Colaizzi phenomenological data analysis method was used for analysis. Results Four main themes were extracted: lack of correct understanding of breast cancer; Lack of awareness of early screening and self-examination; Single access to get breast cancer information; Reasons for reluctance to screen. Conclusion The participation in early screening was not optimistic among ethnic minority patients with breast cancer in rural areas. Relevant health departments should strengthen the popularization of breast cancer knowledge and improve the participation rate of early screening among ethnic minority women in rural areas, and improve the awareness of medical treatment for women, thereby reducing the mortality.