SynthesisPloS one2024
Delayed presentation of breast cancer patients and contributing factors in East Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Pooled it
- Direct and Indirect Associations of Sociodemographic Factors and Patient-Perceived Barriers With Delayed Breast Cancer Presentation: A Cross-Sectional Path Analysis.World journal of oncology · 2026Article
- Risk Factors Associated with Delayed Breast Cancer Diagnoses: What Are We Missing?Journal of general internal medicine · 2026Article
- Challenges and strategies for delivering effective breast cancer care in conflict zones.Communications medicine · 2026Review
- Total treatment interval and quality of life of women living with breast cancer in Ethiopia: the mediating role of financial toxicity.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2026Article
- Time to diagnosis for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer in Zimbabwe and South Africa: a cross-sectional study.BMJ global health · 2026Article
- Factors Contributing to Late Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study on the Patient's Perspective in Tanzania.BMC women's health · 2025Article
- Spatial Distribution of Breast Cancer in Morocco and the Impact of Travel Distance and Rural Residence on Cancer Stage.Epidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionBreast cancer remains a significant public health issue, with delayed medical attention often leading to advanced stages and poorer survival rates. In East Africa, evidence on the prevalence and factors contributing to the delayed presentation of breast cancer is limited. As a result, this study aims to assess the pooled prevalence of delayed breast cancer presentation and identify contributing factors in East Africa.
methodsWe conducted a systematic review of observational studies from East Africa using PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane Library, Hinari, and Mednar databases. The Newcastle Ottawa 2016 Critical Appraisal Checklist assessed methodological quality. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger's test, and heterogeneity was examined with the I-squared test. Data were extracted with Microsoft Excel and analyzed using Stata 11.
resultsThe pooled prevalence of delayed presentation among breast cancer patients in East Africa was 61.85% (95% Confidence Interval: 48.83%-74.88%). Significant factors contributing to delayed presentation included visiting traditional healers (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 3.52; 95% CI: 1.43-5.59), low educational levels (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 3.61; 95% CI: 2.39-4.82), age>40 years (Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.87; 1.03, 2.71), absence of breast pain (Adjusted Odds Ratio 2.42; 1.09, 3.74), distance >5km away from home to health institution (Adjusted Odds Ratio 2.89; 1.54, 4.24), and rural residence (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 3.33; 95% CI: 2.16-4.49).
conclusionThis meta-analysis's findings demonstrated that over half of breast cancer patients in East Africa delayed detection. Significant factors associated with delayed presentation include age over 40 years, illiteracy, rural residence, use of traditional healers, distance greater than 5 km from a health facility, and absence of breast pain. Healthcare stakeholders and policymakers must be focused on raising awareness and educating people to encourage early detection and prompt therapy.
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