Breast cancer diagnosis and staging in Chile: A non-randomized survey-based study to assess frequency and delays
Journal
Medwave
ISSN
0717-6384
Date Issued
2024
Type
journal-article
Abstract
<jats:p>Introduction Breast cancer progression involves physiological mechanisms such as metastasis. Delays in diagnosis and treatment increase the risk of mortality and are associated with barriers to healthcare access. In Chile, breast cancer is highly prevalent, and early diagnosis has improved, although disparities in the disease evolution persist. This study characterized diagnostic and staging tests, waiting times, and sociodemographic profiles to identify delays and inequities in care. Methods Survey study. Using a non-probabilistic sample, a questionnaire was applied in an encrypted platform with prior informed consent. The instrument collected data on requested tests, associated times, staging, and sociodemographic characteristics. These variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics, tests of association, confidence intervals, and comparison tests using bootstrapping. Results A sample of 263 persons was obtained. The most requested tests were biopsy (99.62%) and blood tests (80.23%). The median number of tests requested was six (Q1:4, Q3:8), with a mean of 5.87 (standard deviation: 2.24). No significant differences were observed in the percentage of persons from whom the total number of examinations were requested according to the studied variables. The day-hour-result intervals ranged from 1 to 365 days. The median day-hour-result of the biopsy was 15 days (Q1:10, Q3:30). People between 40 and 49 years old, non-residents of the capital city, belonging to income quintile I, with high school education, from the public health system, with late-stage diagnosis had higher median day-hour-result in biopsy. There was no significant difference in the number of requested tests according to staging (I and II, or III and IV). Conclusions Biopsy in Chile is the test of choice for diagnostic confirmation in breast cancer. Other tests are requested regardless of the diagnosis stage, contrary to the recommendations of clinical guidelines. Cancer prognosis is crucial, especially in countries with greater inequalities.</jats:p>
Cite this document
Campaña, C., Oyarte, M., Cabieses, B., & Obach, A. (2024). Breast cancer diagnosis and staging in Chile: A non-randomized survey-based study to assess frequency and delays. Medwave, 24(09), e2801-e2801. https://doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2024.09.2801
Subjects
biopsy
;
breast neoplasms
;
diagnosis
;
early detection of cancer
;
health inequities
;
social determinants of health
;
time-to-treatment
;
adult
;
aged
;
biopsy
;
breast neoplasms
;
chile
;
delayed diagnosis
;
early detection of cancer
;
female
;
health services accessibility
;
healthcare disparities
;
humans
;
middle aged
;
neoplasm staging
;
surveys and questionnaires
;
time factors
;
time-to-treatment
;
young adult
;
adult
;
aged
;
biopsy
;
breast tumor
;
cancer staging
;
chile
;
delayed diagnosis
;
diagnosis
;
early cancer diagnosis
;
female
;
health care access
;
health care disparity
;
human
;
middle aged
;
pathology
;
questionnaire
;
time factor
;
time to treatment
;
young adult