Abstract 12: Determinants of Delayed Breast Cancer Diagnosis Among Patients in Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

Abstract Purpose: Breast cancer is one of the commonest cancers globally as well as one of the leading causes of mortality. In Kenya, breast cancer accounted for 16. 2% of all new cases and was the 2nd leading cause of mortality, accounting for 11. 6% of cancer deaths in 2022. Delayed diagnosis of breast cancer significantly impacts treatment outcomes and survival rates. In Kenya, a high proportion of breast cancer patients present with advanced-stage disease, yet the factors contributing to this delay are not well understood. Methods: A mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital (MeTRH) between August and October 2024. Data collection commenced with a retrospective review of 397 patient records (2015–June 2024), interviews with 73 breast cancer patients, surveys of 54 healthcare professionals, and key informant interviews with 7 heads of departments. Delayed diagnosis was defined as presentation at Stage III or IV and early diagnosis stages I and II. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Results: The prevalence of delayed breast cancer diagnosis was 67. 4% (95% CI: 62. 7–72. 1) and a mean age of 51±14, and the vast majority of patients were female (98. 2%), with only a small fraction of male cases (1. 8%). Most patients had invasive ductal carcinoma (95. 2%), with 43. 8% having Grade II and 44. 9% having Grade III tumors. Rural residence (aOR: 3. 82, 95% CI: 2. 14–6. 81), financial constraints (aOR: 3. 45, 95% CI: 1. 92–6. 19), and distance 5 km to healthcare facilities (aOR: 3. 28, 95% CI: 1. 84– 5. 83) were strongly associated with delayed diagnosis. Professional barriers included limited advanced knowledge of breast cancer (18. 5%), inadequate training (68. 5%), and diagnostic challenges (66. 7%). Health facility factors included frequent equipment breakdowns, the absence of a dedicated breast clinic, and limited specialist availability. Patient-related factors included accidental symptom discovery (54. 8%), financial barriers (80. 8%), and cultural misconceptions (63%). Conclusion: Delayed breast cancer diagnosis at MeTRH results from a complex interplay of socioeconomic, professional, and systemic barriers. Interventions should focus on strengthening and improving healthcare access for rural populations, strengthening professional capacity building, and addressing health literacy and financial barriers to care. Citation Format: Denis Munene, Alfred Owino, Joseph Muchiri, Stephen Chege. Determinants of Delayed Breast Cancer Diagnosis Among Patients in Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya abstract. In: Proceedings of the 13th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; 2025 Sep 16. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34 (12Suppl): Abstract nr 12.