Tackling Late-Stage Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Patients in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case Study From Mali

Abstract only Introduction: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women in sub-Saharan Africa with high mortality rates. As 60%–100% of the patients are diagnosed at late stages, downstaging strategies have been the focus of international discussions to improve survival. The aim of this study was to analyze the entire breast cancer patient´s pathway from first symptom recognition to begin of treatment and survival in Mali to advice on such strategies. Methods: The model of pathways to treatment was used as a framework to assess important time intervals during the patient´s pathway and to match results of the mixed-methods approach. For the quantitative part, N=64 breast cancer patients were interviewed, with a structured questionnaire at the only pathology department in Mali, about breast symptom recognition and first health care visit. Information on begin of treatment and survival were collected at 18-months follow up. Simple Cox regression analyses were performed. To discover additional barriers, three focus group discussions in the communities in Bamako were conducted (2). Results: Median time to first health care visit was 4.8 months, from first health care visit to diagnosis 0.9 months, and for the patients who started treatment (N=46) time from diagnosis to treatment was 1.3 months. Knowledge of breast-self-examination, and correct symptom interpretation increased the chance to visit health care earlier. Shorter duration to first health care visit, working women compared with housewives, and living within Bamako prolonged time to diagnosis. Living outside Bamako, and smaller tumor size (T1/T2) prolonged time to treatment. Visit of a traditional healer, and larger tumor size (T3/T4) shortened survival time, while time to first health visit, and subsequent time to diagnosis had no influence on survival. In the focus groups, low level of breast cancer knowledge, mistrust in the community health care centers, and economic hardship were reported as additional barriers to first health care visit. Low quality of health care services, and lack of social support were reported as barriers to diagnosis and high costs, and lack of specialized services for treatment begin. Discussion: Patients are diagnosed with late stage diseases, due to low knowledge of breast cancer. A weak health care system and out of pocket expenses discourage patients to seek health care, to have diagnostic services, and to start treatment. Conclusion: The continuum of care has