Predictors of advanced-stage presentation among patients with a diagnosis of breast and cervical cancer in Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Breast and cervical cancers are the most common causes of cancer incidence and mortality in women in Africa. Women with breast and cervical cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa are frequently diagnosed with their disease at advanced stages. Delays in seeking health, diagnosis, and treatment are contributing factors to high mortality in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess predictors of advanced stage presentation among patients with breast and cervical cancer attending public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 418 patients at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital and Saint Pauls' Hospital Millennium Medical College from October to November 2021. Stages III and IV were considered advanced stages. Data were collected by reviewing medical records and face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed to examine the association between independent and outcome variables.

Results: A total of 269 patients with breast cancer and 149 patients with cervical cancer were included in the study, and the mean age was 44 years (SD = 10.9 years) and 50 years (SD = 11.2) years, respectively. About 66.9% of breast cancers and 71.1% of cervical cancers were diagnosed at an advanced disease stage. Rural residence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.041, 95% CI, 1.108-3.758), indirect referral (AOR = 3.8, 95% CI, 1.485-9.946), financial difficulty (AOR = 10, 95% CI,1.859-56.495), and cancer screening recommended during their visit (AOR = 4.029 95% CI, 1.658-10.102) were independent predictors of advanced-stage presentation.

Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of advanced-stage breast and cervical cancer diagnosis in Ethiopia, like data collected 10 years ago, despite the introduction of a cancer control plan in 2015. For better implementation, interventions should aim to improve referral pathways, adapt screening and early detection services, and increase cancer awareness at the community level in a culturally accepted way.