Acceptance and adherence to treatment among breast cancer patients in Eastern Nigeria

This study reports on the acceptance and adherence behaviors of patients presenting with a clinical suspicion of breast cancer at a breast clinic in Nigeria during a 5-year period (2004-2008). Of the 275 study patients, 28.7% (79 patients) refused a biopsy needed for a definitive diagnosis. Of those who agreed to a biopsy, 10.2% (28 patients) did not return for a follow-up visit. Mastectomy was offered to 140 patients, 47.9% (67 patients) refused the surgery. Of the 53 patients diagnosed with locally advanced lesions offered neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, 28.3% (15 patients) completed the recommended therapy. Of the 44 patients offered adjuvant chemotherapy, 38.6% (17 patients) completed the recommended therapy. Only 23 of the patients advised to go for radiotherapy complied. Barriers to patient adherence to diagnostic and treatment recommendations included both patient barriers and system barriers.