Chibatamoto FBC Data Set.xlsx

Background: Breast cancer continues to be a public health issue in Botswana. However, there is limited evidence on the association of risk factors with the stages at which diagnosis is done. This study provides evidence on association between risk factors and the stages at which breast cancer is diagnosed among adult females in Botswana.Methods: A cross‐sectional study of 211 Botswana adult women with confirmed breast cancer at public oncology centers was conducted over 10 months in 2022. Data on known risk factors was collected, and statistical tests performed using STATA.Results: The median age of participants at the time of first diagnosis was 50 years. Forty-six percent (46%) of the diagnosed women had advanced stages of breast cancer. Univariate analysis showed significant association of the following four factors with late breast cancer diagnosis; single and never married (OR 0.18, 95% CI: 0.036-0.932), history of iregular menses (OR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.013-2.627), breast cup size (OR 0.57, 0.336-0.968), and age at first full-time pregnancy (OR 0.86, 0.606-1.209). In a bivariate analysis, occupation (p = 0.029), age at first full-term pregnancy (p = 0.042) and type of current breast cancer (p = 0.002) were observed to be associated with late breast cancer diagnosis among women in Botswana. In a multivariate analysis, known second degree family history (OR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.129-0.893) and ductal carcinoma (OR 2.56, 95% CI: 1.083-6.071) were significant predictors of late breast cancer diagnosis among women in four cancer designated catchment centres in Botswana.Conclusion: Women in Botswana present with advanced stages of breast cancer at time of first diagnosis. The risk factors associated with this delayed diagnosis have been identified. We recommend upscaled campaigns targeting women to raise awareness of risk factors and the importance of early detection and access to care.