Sociodemographic determinants of early and late presentation of breast cancer: a hospital-based cross-sectional study from a tertiary care centre in Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women in India, with late presentation substantially worsening treatment outcomes. Understanding sociodemographic profiles of early versus late presenters is essential for designing targeted interventions in tertiary care settings. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra, from 2023 to 2025, enrolling ninety-five breast cancer patients (≥18 years) attending OPD. Early presenters had no delay in seeking treatment after symptom recognition, whereas late presenters reported a delay. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, occupation, marital status, parity, family income) were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Of 95 patients, 31 (32.6%) were early presenters and 64 (67.4%) late presenters. The mean age was 39.2±11.8 years; most were housewives, married and from lower-income families. Late presenters had a higher mean number of children (2.67±1.31 vs 1.87±1.01), and 53.1% had ≥3 children compared with 22.6% among early presenters. Illiteracy was independently associated with 5.2-fold higher odds of late presentation (95% CI 1.54–17.4). Homemaker status also significantly predicted delay, while breast self-examination practice and screening awareness were more common among early presenters. Conclusions: Illiteracy, homemaker status and higher parity independently predicted late breast cancer presentation, with education level emerging as the strongest sociodemographic determinant. Greater reproductive burden was significantly associated with delays, underscoring the need for empowerment-focused, culturally sensitive interventions targeting low-literacy homemakers with higher parity, alongside structural health system strengthening to facilitate timely care.