Factors Contributing to Late Breast Cancer Diagnosis at the Brazzaville University Hospital in 2020, Congo: A Cross-Sectional Analytic Study.

Objectives: Breast cancer is leading the cancer incidence and mortality ranks worldwide. Currently, breast cancer represents 30.1% of all cancers occurring in women in Congo. In sub-Saharan Africa, breast cancer is diagnosed delayed in 70% of cases. The purpose of this work is to study the epidemiological aspects of patients with late diagnosis of breast cancer at the Brazzaville University Hospital, Congo.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional analytic study in the medical oncology service of the University Hospital of Brazzaville. We used systematic, exhaustive sampling. Logistic regression was used for data analysis, and P values ≤5% were considered significant.

Results: Data for 182 patients were collected. Delay in diagnosis represented 91.21% of cases. Delay in diagnosis was significantly associated with lack of finance (P = 0.011) and with breast cancer stages greater than 2 (P < 0.001), but the proximity to the center was suggestive. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between diagnostic delay and proximity to the center (P = 0.025) as well as with breast cancer stages greater than 2 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The delay in breast cancer diagnosis widely discussed in the literature remains relevant in Congo. Routine screening, the construction of a cancer center and its optimal equipment, and the subsidy of care are all critical factors for battling delayed breast cancer diagnosis in Congo.