Delay to diagnosis and breast cancer stage in an urban South African breast clinic

• DOI: 10.7196/samj.2019.v109i3.13283
• Publication Date: 2019-02-28T15:45:16Z
• Authors: S Rayne; K Schnippel; D Kruger; C-A Benn; C Firnhaber
• Keywords: Interquartile range; Presentation (obstetrics); Breast cancer awareness

Background. Breast cancer is the most common in women many low- and middle-income countries, often presents at an advanced stage that affects prognosis irrespective of care available. Although patient-related delay commonly cited, reasons for relationship to are still poorly documented, especially Africa. Objectives. To identify where socioeconomic delays occur how these relate presentation. Methods. Consecutive with a new breast diagnosis were prospectively invited complete questionnaire on their characteristics ability access care. Clinical presentation was documented. Results. Over 14 months, 252 completed (response rate 71.6%). Their median age 55 years (interquartile range 44 - 65), 26.5% aged <45 years. Stage 1 15.5% patients, 2 28.5% 3 56.0%. Almost third patients (30.4%) presented T4 tumour (6.1% inflammatory). Total presenting clinic significantly associated locally ( p =0.021). Average differed between early (1.5 months) (2.5 months), occurred acknowledging symptom seeking The least attending health service open-access clinic, 75.0% within month. Factors difficulties transport, low level education fear missing appointments due work. Conclusions. Most delayed Facilitating direct specialist clinics may reduce improve time