Abstract PS5-11-13: Patient navigation improves treatment compliance in women with breast cancer: A prospective observational audit from India

Abstract Background Timely initiation of treatment is essential for optimizing breast cancer outcomes, yet in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), barriers such as stigma, limited health literacy, and logistical challenges contribute to high treatment default rates. We assessed whether a patient navigation (PN) program could reduce default rates and improve treatment compliance in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Material p=0.03). Defaults after treatment planning were also reduced (2.6% vs. 7.3%; p=0.05). Treatment initiation within 30 days was achieved in 58.7% of PN patients (158/269) versus 40.2% in NoPN (49/122; p=0.009), representing a 46% relative improvement. No significant difference was observed in achieving treatment planning within 21 days (43.8% vs. 41.8%; p=0.78). In multivariable analysis, PN was the strongest independent predictor of timely treatment initiation (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.65-4.19), followed by higher education level (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.02-1.58). Conclusion Patient navigation reduced default rate by 47% and increased treatment initiation within 30 days by 46%, thereby demonstrating improved treatment compliance and timely treatment initiation. Integration of navigation programs can be considered as an effective low cost strategy to enhance care delivery for breast cancer in LMIC’s. Citation Format: N. S. Goel, V. Nakkina, N. Desai, V. Noronha, R. Hawaldar, U. Mahantshetty, J. Aggarwal, R. A. Vadgaonkar, A. S. Padhy, V. Kapu, N. Annamreddi, S. K. Sahoo, R. A. Badwe. Patient navigation improves treatment compliance in women with breast cancer: A prospective observational audit from India abstract. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS5-11-13.