Abstract 67: Perceived Factors for Late Diagnosis in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer in Northern Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: In Tanzania, women often present with advanced stage breast cancer leading to treatment delays and poor outcomes. Factors influencing late hospital presentation of breast cancer have not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to explore patient perception of factors contributing to the late diagnosis of breast cancer. Methods: Women diagnosed with late- stage breast cancer in an outpatient cancer care center were identified by clinic nurses and recruited for study participation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by a single proctor. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded by three independent reviewers using NVivo 12. Themes were identified using a grounded theory approach. Results: Twenty patients (10 rural and 10 urban) participated in the interviews. The average age was 56; 11 (55%) completed primary education, 10 (50%) were unemployed, and 5 (25%) were married. Fourteen (70 %) of the patients had stage 4 breast cancer, 3 (15%) had stage 3, and 3 (15%) had stage 2. Nineteen (95%) of our respondents misunderstood the etiology of breast cancer as well as its causes, signs, and symptoms. Misconceptions led to experiences of stigma in 19 (95%) participants. One participant stated: “…I failed to tell people because… once I tell them that I have problem they will start to run away from me and even if you ask for assistance they think that I cannot pay them back because they think they might help me today and I die tomorrow before I pay them back…” Fifteen (75%) of the participants experienced rejection from their partners. Thirteen (65%) participants expressed financial concerns and eighteen (90%) participants were initially treated by a traditional healer, both of which lead to delays in hospital presentation. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge about breast cancer among patients, societal stigma, lack of spousal support, financial barriers, and initial treatment by traditional healers all contribute to delays in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in Northern Tanzania. Stigma reduction and educational interventions may reduce these delays, and further research is needed to improve access to cancer care in this population. Citation Format: Elizabeth Msoka-Bright, Mackenzie Abraham, Polina Zmijewski, Furaha Serventi, Perry Cyril, Brenda Kitali, Vivian Saria, Jackline Kwayu, Adelide Kavishe, Gileard Masenga, Blandina Mmbaga, Lily Gutnik. Perceived Factors for Late Diagnosis in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer in Northern Tanzania [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Closing the Research-to-Implementation Gap; 2023 Apr 4-6. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 67.