Abstract PO3-10-11: Mujeres Avanzando a la Sobrevida (MAS: women going forward in survival): Breast Cancer Characteristics and Delays in Care in Honduras
Authors: Saranya Prathibha, Alejandra Molina, Jorge Siryi, Kristhel Gaitán, Mildred Raudales, Manuel Maldonado, Todd Tuttle, Suyapa Bejarano
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Introduction: Low and middle-income countries have exceedingly high breast cancer mortality rates primarily due to delays to diagnosis and treatment. The Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI) recommends a diagnostic interval (time from initial provider visit to receiving a diagnosis) of &amp;lt; 60 days. Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere and has a paucity of published breast cancer research. Our objective was to understand delays in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Honduras. Methods: We initiated a prospective cohort study (Mujeres Avanzando a la Sobrevida (MAS: Women Going Forward in Survival)) in 2021 at two hospitals in two major cities in Honduras. All patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer were invited to participate. We prospectively collected demographic, cancer, and treatment data through patient interviews and surveys. We also determined several time intervals including: onset of symptoms to initial provider visit (patient interval), initial provider visit to biopsy (diagnostic interval), and biopsy to first treatment (treatment interval). Patients also completed the Unger-Saldana Delay Survey to assess their perceptions of any delays in cancer care and reasons for these delays. Results: We enrolled 95 patients with an average age of 54 years. 73% of patients reported an income of &amp;lt; 1 minimum wage (&amp;lt; 8,448 lempiras/month). 93% were housewives, and 35% were married. The majority of patients had an elementary school education or no education (61%). The most common first symptom was a breast lump (81%). The majority of patients had advanced stage disease (Stage III and IV: 64%). The mean patient interval was 185 days. The mean diagnostic interval was 153 days, and the mean treatment interval was 139 days. Most patients (61%) thought their symptoms were slightly serious or not serious at all, and 78% did not think their symptoms were due to cancer. Most patients (60%) thought they were able to see a physician immediately or soon after symptoms developed (63%). Patient stated reasons for not seeking care earlier included believing their symptoms would self-improve, being unsure which health service to go to, lack of money, and fear. Similarly, most patients (67%) thought the time between seeing their first provider and visiting the cancer hospital was immediate or soon but not immediately. Reasons for this delay included lack of information, lack of money, wait times to appointment or tests, incorrect initial diagnosis, and fear. Conclusion: In this prospective cohort study, nearly two-thirds of patients in Honduras were diagnosed with stage III/IV breast cancer. We found marked delays in patient, diagnostic, and treatment intervals, even though patients perceived their care to be immediate. Importantly, the diagnostic interval far exceeded 60 days, as recommended by the BHGI. This study provides initial insight into delays in breast cancer care in Honduras and provides an opportunity to target obstacles to early diagnosis and treatment and to improve breast cancer survival. Citation Format: Saranya Prathibha, Alejandra Molina, Jorge Siryi, Kristhel Gaitán, Mildred Raudales, Manuel Maldonado, Todd Tuttle, Suyapa Bejarano. Mujeres Avanzando a la Sobrevida (MAS: women going forward in survival): Breast Cancer Characteristics and Delays in Care in Honduras [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO3-10-11.