Conference Abstracts - Summit on Cancer Health Disparities (SCHD26)
Vol. 6, Issue Supplement 1, 2026 · S1-1
Challenges in Early Detection of Breast Abnormalities at Selected Primary Healthcare Facilities in Addis Ababa: A Multicenter Mixed-Methods Study
Bethlehem Fiseha Alebachew, PhD (C), MPH (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Submission received: 2025-12-14 / Accepted: 2026-01-07 / Published: 2026-01-26
Abstract
Purpose
Globally, more than 2.3 million cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. In Ethiopia, critical components of comprehensive breast cancer care, such as, the magnitude, timeliness, and quality of diagnostic pathways for women with breast complaints remain poorly studied, particularly, at primary care level.
Methods
A multicenter, mixed-methods study was conducted at primary healthcare facilities in Addis Ababa using a multi-stage sampling. The quantitative component was a retrospective cross-sectional study based on case note audits of adult patients with breast complaints who visited 10 primary healthcare centers between January and December 2023. The qualitative component employed a phenomenological approach and inductive content analysis. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding.
Results
In total, 473 patients with breast abnormalities were identified from 861,755 adult outpatient visits across the 10 health centers. The magnitude of breast abnormalities was 0.001703, or 170.3 per 100,000 adult women. Of the patients studied, 21.3% (n=77) presented with breast lumps. Among women aged ≥30 years with lumps, 55.6% (n=15) were not referred to higher-level facilities. Physical examinations were conducted in only 20.4% (n=74) of cases, and 75.5% (n=114) of women aged ≥30 years did not receive clinical breast examinations. Qualitative data revealed gaps in referral feedback, screening, and diagnostics. Patient delays were often due to fear and seeking alternative care.
Conclusions
A significant number of women presented with breast lumps, indicating a need for diagnostic procedures such as fine needle aspiration cytology. Low referral rates and limited clinical breast examinations underscore the importance of clear patient navigation pathways, enhanced diagnostic capacity at higher-level healthcare facilities, and capacity building in primary healthcare.