Factors Associated With Breast Cancer Treatment Adherence in Tanzania

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Treatment completion (TC) and treatment adherence (TA) are vital for improving breast cancer (BC) outcomes.
• Measuring TC and TA in resource-limited settings like Tanzania is essential for understanding and improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure treatment completion and adherence rates for breast cancer patients in Tanzania.
• To identify factors associated with TC and TA in this population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of BC treatment data from 2019-2020 at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI).
• Data included demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical profiles.
• TC and TA were calculated by comparing prescribed versus received treatment regimens.

Main Results:

• Of 813 patients, 43.8% had Stage III/IV disease, and 24.1% presented with metastasis.
• Overall TC ranged from 46.8% to 47.4%, with TA at 21.2%.
• TC was linked to absence of metastasis and proximity to ORCI; TA was associated with insurance and follow-up appointments.

Conclusions:

• Low TC and TA rates in Tanzania significantly compromise breast cancer treatment efficacy.
• Interventions should focus on patients with advanced disease and those facing geographic barriers to care to enhance treatment compliance.