Management of Breast Cancer in a Resource-Limited Semi-Urban Setting: A Series of 155 Cases Treated in Garoua, Cameroon

Introduction: Breast cancer is a public health problem in Cameroon because of its high frequency and lethality rates. Diagnosis and treatment can be problematic in settings that are very limited in resources such as the northern region of Cameroon. We wanted to investigate on breast cancer management in Garoua. Objective: This paper aims to study the epidemiological and management aspects of breast cancer in Garoua. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in 4 hospitals in Garoua from November 2023 to May 15, 2024. We included patients treated for breast cancer over 6 years, between January 2018 and April 2024. We collected their sociodemographic, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic data. Data analysis was carried out using EPI data and Microsoft Excel 2013 softwares. Results: Out of 20,475 gynecology consultations, we identified 176 cases of patients treated for breast cancer, giving a frequency of 0.86%. Of the 155 patients selected for the study, 98.1% were women. The median age was 45 years (range 15 to 70 years). Most patients were married (78.7%) and had a primary education level (69.7%). Family history of breast cancer was reported in 9% of cases. Breast swelling was the most common symptom (81.3%). Only 55.5% of cases had a mammogram and/or ultrasound performed, and most lesions were classified as ACR4 (60.5%). At the time of diagnosis, 70.7% of patients were at stage T4 or T3 and 85.8% had axillary lymphadenopathy. Chemotherapy was the main therapeutic modality used (83.7%). Survival at 2 years was 51.5% with 15.6% lost to follow-up. Conclusion: Breast cancer is often encountered in Garoua. Difficulties in diagnosis and treatment compromise the prognosis of patients.