Factors linked to late diagnosis in breast cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa: Case of Côte d'Ivoire

Objective To identify in Ivorian environment, reasons involved in late diagnosis of breast cancer. Patients and methods Retrospective study over 4 years (January 2008 to December 2011) including 350 patients with breast adenocarcinoma. A questionnaire was created and filled according to the medical files of the patients. Linear regression analysis applied to the data showed concordance between the factors and the delay before diagnosis. Results Thus 78.9% of the patients sought for care above 10 months with inflammatory cancers (54%) and necrotic ulcerations (18%). Factors found during interview were the lack of financial means (36%), cultural habits with first intent traditional treatment (41.1%), misdiagnosis (7.1%) and lack of therapeutic care. Yet, when comparing each of these factors to the delay, no significant link was found. Chemotherapy was the first therapeutic method. Conclusion In our context, the conjunction of ignorance, poverty and socio-cultural habits were the key factors in late diagnosis of breast cancers in Côte d'Ivoire.