The Perspectives of Healthcare Providers, Traditional Healers, and Other Key Informants on the Late Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Northern Tanzania: A Qualitative Study

The Perspectives of Healthcare Providers, Traditional Healers, and Other Key Informants on the Late Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Northern Tanzania: A Qualitative Study | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article The Perspectives of Healthcare Providers, Traditional Healers, and Other Key Informants on the Late Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Northern Tanzania: A Qualitative Study Elizabeth F. Msoka, Mackenzie Abraham, Bob C. Mulder, Autumn Beavers, and 11 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5313282/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 08 Sep, 2025 Read the published version in Discover Public Health → Version 1 posted 20 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Purpose: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women in Tanzania and has one of the highest mortality rates worldwide due to late-stage diagnosis and suboptimal treatment. However, the role of traditional healers in late-stage diagnosis has not been widely studied. We aimed to identify the barriers to early BC diagnosis in Tanzania and possible solutions by interviewing healthcare providers (HCPs), traditional healers (THs), and other key informants (KIs). Methods: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 HCPs (including 10 doctors and 10 nurses), 10 THs, and 9 KIs in community settings in the Kilimanjaro region. A focus group discussion with 8 THs was also conducted. Demographic data were collected from the participants, and the interview data were transcribed, translated, coded and analyzed using NVIVO 12 software to identify themes. Results: The findings were synthesized into five themes to explain late diagnosis: 1) HCPs and THs have limited knowledge and misconceptions about the causes, signs, and symptoms of breast cancer; 2) patients experience stigma 3) treatment is expensive and difficult to access; 4) patients perceive barriers based on myths, misperceptions and spiritual beliefs; and 5) HCPs and THs often blame each other for ineffective treatment and delays in effective treatment. The participants also provided suggestions to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment, including enhancing knowledge and awareness among THs and HCPs to help them recognize the signs and symptoms of BC through education campaigns, addressing the cost of access to care and treatment, addressing stigma associated with BC, and developing collaborative efforts between HCPs and THs. Conclusion: In this study, we successfully identified several themes related to barriers to early BC diagnosis that help to explain the late diagnosis of BC from the perspective of various participants. Raising community awareness and improving understanding of breast cancer is crucial in reducing misconceptions and stigma. Collaboration between healthcare providers and traditional healers could be beneficial in the development of strategies to recognize the early signs and symptoms of BC. Healthcare providers Key informants Traditional healers Breast cancer late diagnosis Tanzania Africa Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files SupplimentaryTable1.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 08 Sep, 2025 Read the published version in Discover Public Health → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 07 May, 2025 Reviews received at journal 07 May, 2025 Reviews received at journal 16 Apr, 2025 Reviews received at journal 14 Apr, 2025 Reviews received at journal 09 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 06 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 04 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 02 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Mar, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 23 Nov, 2024 Reviews received at journal 22 Nov, 2024 Reviews received at journal 22 Nov, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 20 Nov, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Nov, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Nov, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 17 Nov, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 15 Nov, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 15 Nov, 2024 Submission checks completed at journal 14 Nov, 2024 First submitted to journal 22 Oct, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5313282","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":383398220,"identity":"b1c65fc1-5657-4ef8-8db5-90b6a5351810","order_by":0,"name":"Elizabeth F. 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However, the role of traditional healers in late-stage diagnosis has not been widely studied. We aimed to identify the barriers to early BC diagnosis in Tanzania and possible solutions by interviewing healthcare providers (HCPs), traditional healers (THs), and other key informants (KIs).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMethods: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 HCPs (including 10 doctors and 10 nurses), 10 THs, and 9 KIs in community settings in the Kilimanjaro region. A focus group discussion with 8 THs was also conducted. Demographic data were collected from the participants, and the interview\u0026nbsp;data were transcribed, translated, coded and analyzed using NVIVO 12 software to identify themes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResults: The findings were synthesized into five themes to explain late diagnosis: 1) HCPs and THs have limited knowledge and misconceptions about the causes, signs, and symptoms of breast cancer; 2) patients experience stigma 3) treatment is expensive and difficult to access; 4) patients perceive barriers based on myths, misperceptions and spiritual beliefs; and 5) HCPs and THs often blame each other for ineffective treatment and delays in effective treatment. The participants also provided suggestions to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment, including enhancing knowledge and awareness among THs and HCPs to help them recognize the signs and symptoms of BC through education campaigns, addressing the cost of access to care and treatment, addressing stigma associated with BC, and developing collaborative efforts between HCPs and THs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConclusion: In this study, we successfully identified several themes related to barriers to early BC diagnosis that help to explain the late diagnosis of BC from the perspective of various participants.\u0026nbsp;Raising community awareness and improving understanding of breast cancer is crucial in reducing misconceptions and stigma. Collaboration between healthcare providers and traditional healers could be beneficial in the development of strategies to recognize the early signs and symptoms of BC.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"The Perspectives of Healthcare Providers, Traditional Healers, and Other Key Informants on the Late Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Northern Tanzania: A Qualitative Study","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-12-12 03:38:59","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5313282/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-05-07T06:57:50+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-05-07T06:56:31+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-04-17T01:52:04+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-04-14T22:11:18+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-04-09T18:22:58+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"311055532228515815313598890806692723166","date":"2025-04-06T12:11:05+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"189720041776183758394680475052894773245","date":"2025-04-04T23:00:22+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"303164995661303424664498424605690614929","date":"2025-04-02T10:55:58+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"155578026771802888515708750370211612789","date":"2025-03-30T12:01:15+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"50205886075009617228439930810224355111","date":"2024-11-23T11:06:57+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-11-22T16:51:00+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-11-22T07:17:10+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"116231139493656139496555882164458748181","date":"2024-11-21T04:57:30+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"204759644749620831986397662819441092516","date":"2024-11-19T18:48:39+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"198695749155165589607870640713710310543","date":"2024-11-18T15:52:10+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"134224985002477990166117096338274444502","date":"2024-11-17T21:08:47+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2024-11-15T20:57:12+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2024-11-15T14:43:48+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2024-11-14T11:00:24+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Public Health","date":"2024-10-22T15:58:04+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-public-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Public Health](https://link.springer.com/journal/12982)","snPcode":"12982","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/12982/3","title":"Discover Public Health","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"a7d2b3ab-69bd-4bb0-9291-7a1b23b0f169","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 12th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-09-15T15:59:37+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-5313282","link":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00920-z","journal":{"identity":"discover-public-health","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Discover Public Health"},"publishedOn":"2025-09-08 15:57:18","publishedOnDateReadable":"September 8th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2024-12-12 03:38:59","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1186/s12982-025-00920-z","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00920-z","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-5313282","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-5313282","identity":"rs-5313282","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}