Determinants underlying delayed access to specialist consultations for breast cancer patients in Brazzaville in 2023.

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is leading rang of incidence and mortality worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa it’s diagnosed belatedly in 70% of case. The purpose of this work is to study different aspects of patients with late diagnosis of breast cancer at the specialist in Congo. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study in the medical oncology service of the University Hospital of Brazzaville. Was be included all patient having a breast cancer histologically confirmed. Logistic regress was used for data analyze and the p value significant if ≤ 5%. Results: One hundred and eighty-two patients were recorded. The mean age was 50.01 ± 11.30 years. Delays in consulting a specialist represented 84.07 % of cases including the incriminated factors were the lack of financial means 35.54%, socio-cultural habits 21.08%, and fear 18.67%. Delay in diagnosis was significantly associated with lack of finance (p = 0.011) and the number of stages greater than 2 (p <0.001). Multivariate analysis shows an association between diagnostic delays and a number of steps greater than 2 (p <0.001) and familial history of cancer. Conclusion: More than three quarters of patients had delayed access to a specialist consultation. Factors mediated by the patient are mainly fear, lack of finance and socio-cultural habits. We also noted the concept of comorbidity, have been through more than 2 stages before the cancer centre and family history of cancer. So routine screening, the subsidy of care are all that will make it possible to remedy this scourge.