Profile of women with Gynaecological cancers at a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Nigeria

Background: Gynaecological cancers remain a major public health concern in Low-and Middle-Income Countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, gynaecological cancers account for approximately one-third of all female cancers.
Objectives: To determine the socio-demographic, reproductive, and clinical characteristics of gynaecological cancer patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of 75 women with histologically confirmed gynaecological cancer managed at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic characteristics and clinical profile from the patients and their clinical records after informed consent was obtained. Data was entered into a MS Excel spreadsheet and analyzed with SPSS version 25.
Results: Most 27 (36%) of the women were between 40-49 years of age, with a mean age of 50.4 ± 12.3 years. Majority 46 (61.3%) were married, 27 (36%) had tertiary education, and two-thirds earned N30,000 or less (≤ $20) per month. Many 23 (30.7%) were Para ≥ 5, almost all 63 (84%) of the women were referred to UPTH, with one-third 21 (33.3%) of the referrals coming from other tertiary health facilities. Most 63 (84%) of the women had never had a Pap smear screening, and 48 (64%) were menopausal. The most common presenting symptom was vaginal bleeding 37 (49.3%). Cervical cancer accounted for about half 40 (53.3%) of the cases, followed by ovarian cancer 27 (36%), with the majority 28 (43%) presenting with stage III disease. Chemotherapy was administered to all the patients. However, treatment was delayed in 57 (76%) of the women due to financial constraints, with most of the funding and support coming from family members in 43 (57.3%) of the women.
Conclusion: There is an urgent need to increase advocacy for gynaecological cancers to increase awareness, prevent late presentation and progression of early disease. Furthermore, the government needs to subsidize the cost of cancer care to encourage early presentation and treatment.