ArticleBMJ open2019
Time intervals experienced between first symptom recognition and pathologic diagnosis of breast cancer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.
Article in BMJ open, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 33 papers, 8 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
33 citing papers in PubMed, 8 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of breast cancer in Ethiopia: a systematic review.BMC cancer · 2024Pooled it
- Advanced-stage breast cancer diagnosis and its determinants in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC women's health · 2024Pooled it
- Delayed presentation of breast cancer patients and contributing factors in East Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis.PloS one · 2024Pooled it
- Predictors of survival among breast cancer patients in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in oncology · 2024Pooled it
- Duration of the patient interval in breast cancer and factors associated with longer delays in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review with meta-analysis.Psycho-oncology · 2023Pooled 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
- Determinants of Delayed Presentation and Advanced-Stage Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP · 2021Pooled it
- Psychosocial influences on help-seeking behaviour for cancer in low-income and lower middle-income countries: a mixed-methods systematic review.BMJ global health · 2021Pooled it
- Access and time to chemotherapy among Ethiopian cancer patients: a population-based registry study.The oncologist · 2026Article
- Clinical features, diagnosis, and referral of women with breast abnormalities in primary health care settings in rural Ethiopia: a retrospective record analysis.BMC primary care · 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
- Factors Influencing Time to Treatment Initiation for Breast Cancer in Ethiopia.Cancer medicine · 2025Article
- Understanding delays in breast cancer diagnosis in Africa: Key insights and contributing factors.International journal of cancer · 2025Article
- Time to pathologic diagnosis of suspicious breast lesions: An institution-based study in five Ethiopian hospitals.International journal of cancer · 2025Article
- Patient journey and timeliness of care for patients with breast cancer in Africa: a scoping review.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding breast cancer screening and associated factors among female undergraduate students at Bonga University, Ethiopia.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Article
- Predictors of advanced-stage presentation among patients with a diagnosis of breast and cervical cancer in Ethiopia.The oncologist · 2025Article
- Time intervals in the pathway to diagnosis and treatment of patients with breast and gynecological cancer.Frontiers in medicine · 2025Article
- Diagnostic delay among symptomatic breast cancer patients: a study in Sudanese women.Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesThis study aimed to estimate the magnitude of patient and diagnostic delays and associated factors among women with breast cancer in Addis Ababa.
designThis is a cross-sectional study. SETTINGS AND
participantsAll women newly diagnosed with breast cancer in seven major healthcare facilities in Addis Ababa (n=441) were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Patient interval (time from recognition of first symptom to medical consultation) and diagnostic interval (time from first consultation to diagnosis). Patient intervals >90 days and diagnostic intervals >30 days were considered delays, and associated factors were determined using multivariable Poisson regressions with robust variance.
resultsThirty-six percent (95% CI [31.1%, 40.3%]) of the patients had patient intervals of >90 days, and 69% (95% CI [64.6%, 73.3%]) of the patients had diagnostic intervals of >30 days. Diagnostic interval exceeded 1 year for 18% of patients. Ninety-five percent of the patients detected the first symptoms of breast cancer by themselves, with breast lump (78.0%) as the most common first symptom. Only 8.0% were concerned about cancer initially, with most attributing their symptoms to other factors. In the multivariable analysis, using traditional medicine before consultation was significantly associated with increased prevalence of patient delay (adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.13, 95% CI [1.68, 2.71]). First consultation at health centres (adjusted PR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.02, 1.39]) and visiting ≥4 facilities (adjusted PR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.10, 1.40]) were associated with higher prevalence of diagnostic delay. However, progression of symptoms before consultation (adjusted PR = 0.73, 95% CI [0.60, 0.90]) was associated with decreased prevalence of diagnostic delay.
conclusionsPatients with breast cancer in Addis Ababa have prolonged patient and diagnostic intervals. These underscore the need for public health programme to increase knowledge about breast cancer symptoms and the importance of early presentation and early diagnosis among the general public and healthcare providers.
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