14. Factors leading to the late diagnosis and poor outcomes of breast cancer in Matabeleland South and the Bulawayo Metropolitan Provinces in Zimbabwe

Published Date: 01st May 2021

Publication Authors: Chagla LS

Introduction
Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of female cancer deaths in Africa, and in Zimbabwe, >80% present with advanced disease. A grant-funded Needs Analysis (NA) was carried out to determine the causes for delayed diagnosis and poor BC outcomes in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South, and to investigate possible solutions.

Method(s)
Data was collected in 2 phases. Phase 1 explored the key factors leading to poor BC outcomes with >50 professional stakeholders. Phase 2 explored the views and needs of users and providers in Matabeleland South and Bulawayo Metropolitan Province. Validated qualitative and quantitative questionnaires exploring factors highlighted in Phase 1 were developed. Trained volunteers interviewed women and their relatives, health professionals, medical specialist and interested lay groups. The Cochran Sample Size Formulae Technique determined the quantitative sample size (for patients and relatives [1100/1.3 million], for health professional groups [400/3500]). Purposive sampling for the qualitative study selected participants with an understanding of BC and the NA. Qualitative and quantitative data was analysed by NVivoT and SPSS 23.0T, respectively.

Result(s)
Delayed diagnosis and poor BC outcomes were related to 4 linked factors (i) poor understanding, fear and cultural beliefs of women and their families. (ii) high treatment costs (iii) lack of basic equipment, knowledge, training and skills of health professionals (iv) shortage of specialist staff, over-centralization and poor communication.

Conclusion(s)
This study confirms that the reasons for poor BC outcomes in Zimbabwe are complex and multifactorial. All stakeholders support much better public education, targeted funding, specialist training, and service reorganization.

Magara, M; Chagla, L et al. (2021). 14. Factors leading to the late diagnosis and poor outcomes of breast cancer in Matabeleland South and the Bulawayo Metropolitan Provinces in Zimbabwe. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. 47 (5), E290

 

Magara, MS; Chagla, LS et al. (2023). Factors leading to the late diagnosis and poor outcomes of breast cancer in Matabeleland South and the Bulawayo Metropolitan Provinces in Zimbabwe. PLoS ONE. 18(11), p.e0292169. [Online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292169 [Accessed 12 January 2024]

 

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