title: Delays in presentation and management of ovarian cancer in Lagos, Nigeria.
abstract: This study highlights the extent of delays in the presentation and management of ovarian cancer at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. A total of 37 histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer cases managed from January 2004 to December 2008 were analysed. The time interval between onset of symptoms and seeking healthcare, was 36.1 ± 40.8 weeks; between seeking healthcare and referral to tertiary hospital, was 22.7 ± 30.4 weeks; and the overall time interval from onset of symptoms to presentation for definitive care, was 52.0 ± 51.8 weeks. Private hospitals (35.1%) and herbal homes (21.6%) were the commonest facilities first visited. A total of 32 (86.5%) of the patients presented in stages III and IV. The overall compliance rate for recommended chemotherapy was 11.1%. Ovarian cancer in Lagos, Nigeria is characterised by patient-related delays in presentation, provider-related delays in referrals and poor compliance with recommended chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. derabs@hotmail.com
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Rabiu
authors.forename: O I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Akinola
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adewunmi
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Fabamwo
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Adedeji
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Popoola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009549:Nigeria; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013997:Time Factors; D061665:Time-to-Treatment; D055815:Young Adult