The delay of breast cancer diagnosis and management during the Syrian war

Abstract

BackgroundEarly detection of breast cancer (BC) is crucial for better prognosis especially in low-income countries, where advanced cancer stages are common. The Syrian war severely affected the healthcare system restraining the proper timely management of BC cases. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of patient- and system-related delays in BC diagnosis and management in Syria in addition to their predisposing characteristics and impact on the staging. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional retrospective cohort study on patients followed by the BC unit at Al-Bairouni main cancer center in Syria. The data were collected through personal interviews and retrospective revision of patients’ records. ResultsA total number of 519 patients were recruited; A quarter of them (n = 126) reported more than three months intervals between symptoms recognition and presentation to a physician. Additionally, 72 (13.9 %) patients received a confirmed diagnosis more than three months after presentation, and 12 (2.3 %) started treatment at least three months after the diagnosis. Patients who suffered from war-related inaccessibility to healthcare were 2.55 [1.58–4.11] times more likely to report significant delays. Additionally, the most common self-reported reasons for patient delay were the lack of awareness, which was more evident for less common symptoms like the change in breasts size, and shyness. Patients who reported significant delays were more likely to receive an advanced-stage diagnosis. ConclusionWar-related inaccessibility to healthcare rendered a significant group of BC patient susceptible to evident delay. This combined with significant system delays because of the overwhelmed hospitals, high costs, and insufficient personnel, equipment, medications, and training. However, personal factors, which might not be directly related to the war, like the inadequate awareness of rare symptoms and shyness still necessitate urgent interventions on the public knowledge and performed screening practices. These delays associated with receiving advanced-stage diagnoses and minimizing them can return better prognoses.