Delay in breast cancer diagnosis: a Brazilian cohort study

To evaluate the delay in breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and its risk factors.

A cohort study of BC patients referred to treatment at oncological reference hospital, Brazil. Delay in BC diagnosis was defined as a time interval ≥90 days between the first contact with a care provider and a BC diagnosis.

The association between independent variables and delay was performed by univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression.

Five hundred and twenty-six women were included in the study. Delay was observed in 68.8% and was associated with performing histopathological examination at oncological reference hospital (odds ratio [OR]: 3.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.91-8.20) or at another public health service (OR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.50-3.56) and attending gynecological consultations annually (OR: 3.24; 95% CI: 1.97-5.33) or every 2-3 years (OR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.55-5.28). Patients who presented a lump as the first sign or symptom had a lower chance of delay (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.29-0.65).

Improvements in the structure and access to health services are needed to reduce the time to diagnosis.