The Experience of a Newly Set up Breast Clinic in a Resource Limited Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the commonest cancers in Kenya with very devastating outcomes due to poor screening and low aware-ness amongst women. In Kenya outside Nairobi there are no organized breast care clinics in public hospitals which can help to easen the breast disease burden. It was in view of this that department of surgery decided to set up a breast clinic at Kisii Level 5 Hospital to cater for the popula-tion in the south western Kenya region. An audit was done to assess the progress of the clinic. Results: 103 patients were seen over a three month period with an average of 10.3 patients per clinic visit. Benign breast conditions were commonest condition with 27% of this being fibroadenomas. Twenty two percent of patients had malignant disease with 79% presenting in stage 3 and 4. Challenges encountered included lack of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. ​ Conclusion: Breast disease in resource limited facilities is sizeable and centralized breast management centers is necessary and possible. Mentorship and support of newly developing breast clinics is essential for their success.