Factors Contributing to Late Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study on the Patient’s Perspective in Tanzania

Our findings show that, from the patient's perspective, the main reasons for delayed diagnosis of breast cancer can be grouped at the patient, the community, and the healthcare levels. Themes at the patient level are a lack of knowledge of breast cancer signs and symptoms and lack of awareness of having those symptoms. Community level themes were stigma, seeking initial care from traditional healers, and interacting with religious leaders, and themes related to healthcare included costs of cancer treatment, and negative attitudes of healthcare providers.