ArticleBMJ open2016
Understanding pathways to breast cancer diagnosis among women in the Western Cape Province, South Africa: a qualitative study.
Article in BMJ open, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 63 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
63 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Where do delays occur? A systematic review of the barriers to early breast cancer diagnosis across South Africa's health system.BMJ open · 2026Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Health system factors that influence diagnostic and treatment intervals in women with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.BMC public health · 2021Pooled it
- Prevalence of Themes Linked to Delayed Presentation of Breast Cancer in Africa: A Meta-Analysis of Patient-Reported Studies.JCO global oncology · 2020Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Stage at diagnosis of breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The Lancet. Global health · 2016Pooled it
- Cost of chemotherapy-related care for breast cancer care: evidence and implications from a provider perspective at a public tertiary hospital in South Africa.Health economics review · 2026Article
- Navigating cancer: Insights from patient journey mapping.PloS one · 2026Article
- Factors Associated with Delays in Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Low- and Middle-income Countries: A Scoping Review.International journal of community based nursing and midwifery · 2026Review
- Application of patient journey mapping in patients with breast cancer: a scoping review.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Patient journey and timeliness of care for patients with breast cancer in Africa: a scoping review.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Challenges and facilitators in pathways to cancer diagnosis in Southern Africa: a qualitative study.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Patient safety incidences: Perspectives of South African audiologists.South African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care · 2025Article
- Pathway of Healthcare for Breast Cancer among Women in an Eastern State of India: A Mixed Method Cross-Sectional Study.Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP · 2025Article
- Pathway to care among adolescents and young adults with breast cancer in Nigeria: a mixed methods study.BMC cancer · 2025Article
- Culture, community, and cancer: understandings of breast cancer from a non-lived experience among women living in Soweto.BMC women's health · 2024Article
- Cascade of care for people with positive symptoms of common cancers in selected primary health centres of Puducherry: An explanatory mixed-method study.The Indian journal of medical research · 2024Article
- Patient journey and timeliness of care for patients with breast cancer in Africa: a scoping review protocol.BMJ open · 2024Article
- Culture, community, and cancer: Understandings of breast cancer from a non-lived experience among women living in Soweto.Research square · 2024Article
3 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesThe aim of this study was to explore and understand women's pathways to breast cancer diagnosis and factors influencing this journey. DESIGN AND
settingIndepth interviews were conducted with clients at a tertiary level breast cancer clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. A thematic analysis was performed underpinned by the theoretical concepts of the Model of Pathways to Treatment framework.
participants20 women were interviewed within 1 week of being diagnosed with breast cancer.
resultsThe average time between discovery of bodily changes to breast cancer diagnosis was 8.5 months. Deficits in breast self-awareness and knowledge of breast cancer symptoms delayed women's interpretation of bodily changes as being abnormal. All women first noticed breast lumps; however, many did not perceive it as abnormal until additional symptoms were present. General good health, attribution of symptoms to ageing, and past benign breast disease resulted in women being complacent about bodily changes. Disclosure to family members served as a trigger to seek healthcare. The initial type of primary level care services women accessed was influenced by perceptions of care each service provided, finances, structural factors, and personal safety related to the physical location of services.
conclusionsSymptom appraisal and interpretation contributed significantly to delayed presentation. To improve timely diagnosis of breast cancer, interventions that increase women's confidence in detecting breast changes, improve knowledge of breast cancer symptoms, address myths, and encourage prompt help-seeking behaviour are required.
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