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Factors Contributing to Late-Stage Breast Cancer Presentation in sub-Saharan Africa

  • Global Breast Cancer (BO Anderson and C Duggan, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Breast Cancer Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Late stage at breast cancer diagnosis is a major contributor to poor survival from breast cancer in many sub-Saharan African countries. Using Ugandan as an example, we discuss barriers along the journey to diagnosis and highlight areas where improvements are needed.

Recent Findings

In Uganda, the majority of breast cancer patients noticed symptoms of their cancer for at least 9 months prior to diagnosis, which is typical of many African countries. For most women, the health provider delay is extensive, owing to barriers related to cost, transport, stigma, provider knowledge, and difficult-to-navigate referral systems.

Summary

Downstaging efforts should focus on reducing health system delay and target low community awareness. Implementation research to strengthen women’s breast cancer knowledge, access to breast health services, and referral pathways provide clear opportunities for downstaging.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    John R. Scheel

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195-7117, USA

    John R. Scheel & Sarah Anderson

  3. Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    John R. Scheel

  4. Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 69008, Lyon, France

    Milena Foerster & Valerie McCormack

  5. Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

    Moses Galukande

Authors
  1. John R. Scheel
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  2. Sarah Anderson
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  3. Milena Foerster
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  4. Moses Galukande
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  5. Valerie McCormack
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to John R. Scheel.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Global Breast Cancer

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Scheel, J.R., Anderson, S., Foerster, M. et al. Factors Contributing to Late-Stage Breast Cancer Presentation in sub-Saharan Africa. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 10, 142–147 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-018-0278-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-018-0278-7

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