Prevalence and pattern of late-stage presentation in women with breast and cervical cancers in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

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.

Chemotherapy induced neutropenia and febrile neutropenia among breast cancer patients in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

“…In this prospective, observational study of 113 chemotherapy-naïve breast cancer patients, the mean age of 49.5 years, as well as other socio-demographic, clinical and histopathological characteristics is mostly in keeping with previous reports on breast cancer epidemiology in Nigeria [14,15]. However, the lower mean age of the participants in this study compared to other studies from Europe and USA [16,17] further suggests that the Nigeria breast cancer patients are of younger age group compared to their counterparts in Europe and the USA due to the relatively lower life-expectancy in our part of the world.…”

Distribution of Breast Cancer Subtypes Among Nigerian Women and Correlation to the Risk Factors and Clinicopathological Characteristics

“…In this study, like many other studies conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa, patients are seen in locally advanced and advanced stages of their diseases [29,30]. This finding is not true for women in developed countries as patients tend to present at earlier stages [31].…”

Presenting Symptoms and Predictors of Poor Outcomes Among 2,184 Patients with COVID-19 in Lagos State, Nigeria

“…This is congruent with the early American experience that a majority of patients waited until becoming very ill to have testing done at the hospital. (McCullough et al, 2020) Furthermore, in Lagos, where this study was conducted, poor hospital seeking practices and late presentation occur commonly (Roberts et al, 2015;Awofeso et al, 2018;Anorlu et al, 2004;Ugochukwu et al, 2019). Strong public health advisories encouraging people to seek care early.…”

“…Anorlu et al, 2004 , Awofeso et al, 2018 , De Vito et al, 2020 , Imam et al, 2020 , Lee, 2014 , Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, 2020 and McCullough and Arunthamakun (2020) .…”