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. 2018 Nov-Dec;59(6):74-79.
doi: 10.4103/nmj.NMJ_112_17.

Prevalence and Pattern of Late-Stage Presentation in Women with Breast and Cervical Cancers in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Opeyemi Awofeso  1 , Alero Ann Roberts  1 , Omolola Salako  2 , Lanre Balogun  3 , Paul Okediji  4
Affiliations

Prevalence and Pattern of Late-Stage Presentation in Women with Breast and Cervical Cancers in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Opeyemi Awofeso et al. Niger Med J. 2018 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Background: Cervical and breast cancers are the most common cancers among women in developing countries contributing to high morbidity and mortality. Even though both these cancers have a better prognosis if caught early; however, studies conducted in Nigeria still show a large incidence of late tumor stage presentation.

Objectives: This study aimed at identifying the patient and disease characteristics of women with breast and cervical cancers presenting at a tertiary medical facility in Nigeria, with emphasis on the prevalence of late-stage presentation and reasons for late-stage presentation.

Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study recruited women at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) with breast and cervical cancers from April to June 2016; an interviewer-based questionnaire was administered to 105 patients who seen to elicit information needed to achieve the set objectives.

Results: The mean age of patients was 51.09 (±11.70) years; majority had no known family history and no health insurance. Most cervical cancer patients were unaware of their human papillomavirus status. About 72.81% of all patients presented late, surprisingly 87.6% of patients presented in an appropriate health-care facility as place of the first contact, but still presented in LUTH at late stages of their disease mostly due to misdiagnosis. Reasons for late presentation included fear, misconceptions, misdiagnosis, ignorance, and prolonged investigation time.

Conclusion: As late-stage presentation was associated with both poor health-seeking behavior and health system delays; interventions should not only include increased awareness for the early detection and diagnosis but also measures to ensure improvements in health service delivery to ensure timely diagnosis and the management of breast and cervical cancers.

Keywords: Breast cancer; cervical cancer; late stage.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Stage at presentation
Figure 2
Figure 2
Place of first contact
Figure 3
Figure 3
Patient versus system delay
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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