Late-Stage Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Ghana: Needs for Patient and Public Education

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women globally, including Ghana, where the disease is diagnosed at advanced stages. This study investigated the possible patient factors related to BC late-stage diagnosis at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana. The study included 180 breast cancer patients receiving treatment at KATH, the main cancer hospital in central Ghana. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect information on patient socio-demographic characteristics, clinical history, and access to care. Clinical staging was retrieved from the patients' medical records. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the predictors of stage at presentation. Out of the 180 patients interviewed, 145 patients had advanced breast cancer (Stages III and IV). Using traditional medicine was the only significant patient factor associated with late-stage breast cancer after adjusting for confounders (age at diagnosis, marital status, health insurance, and education) in the regression and sensitivity analyses, with OR 4.14 (1.30, 13.15) and OR 3.94 (2.02, 7.69), respectively. Breast cancer patients in Kumasi, Ghana, had higher odds of late-stage presentation if they used traditional medicine before seeking care at the cancer hospital. While Ghana has taken steps in educating traditional healers to refer patients early in the course of the disease, efforts are still needed for educating traditional healing providers and patients. The findings of our study may also apply to other low- and middle-income countries with traditional healing practices for cancer management.