Determinants of timely treatment in women with breast cancer supported by six non-governmental organizations in Colombia

Abstract

Objective: to establish the percentage of timely treatments and their determinants in a group of Colombian women with breast cancer supported by six non-governmental organizations. Methodology: An analytical observational study was performed which included women with breast cancer supported by six non-governmental organizations in Colombia. Data were gathered retrospectively via surveys and triangulation of documents to establish the course of care. Results: a total of 240 women were included, 17.1% of which had been treated in time. Health services were denied to 30.4% of the women, and legal actions to claim the right to health (named “tutelas” in Spanish) were taken by 31.2% of the women. The multivariate analysis established that a schooling level beyond high school is related to timely access to treatment. (OR: 3.62; p value: 0.001). Discussion: in Colombia, timely access to breast cancer treatment is socially determined and schooling level plays an important role.