Abstract
We aimed to identify factors that interfere in breast cancer (BC) suspected cases detected in Primary Health Care (PHC) that drive the referral to Specialized Care (SC) São Paulo and Campinas, Brazil. We interviewed 664 women (353 from São Paulo and 311 from Campinas) diagnosed with BC, referred to SC from PHC. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to the identification of associations between BC suspected cases by PHC and the socioeconomic and cancer care variables. The following showed a significant association: higher schooling level (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.35-0.98); medical visit payment for cancer-related care (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.36-0.96), continued attendance at PHC after beginning treatment at SC (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.41-0.95); breast examined in PHC before referral to SC (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.10-2.34) and first mammography requested in PHC (ECM) (OR = 2.81; 95% CI = 1.95-4.00). The request for mammography and the clinical breast examination is incorporated into the PHC for the early detection of BC in the cities. Continuing the care at the PHC and better socioeconomic conditions, such as having a higher education level and capacity to pay for care, can reduce the likelihood of suspected cases.
Key words:
Breast neoplasms; Early detection of cancer; Primary health care; Unified Health System; Health evaluation