Risk factors for delay in symptomatic presentation: a survey of cancer patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Delay in symptomatic presentation leading to advanced stage at diagnosis may contribute to poor cancer survival. To inform public health approaches to promoting early symptomatic presentation, we aimed to identify risk factors for delay in presentation across several cancers.

Methods

We surveyed 2371 patients with 15 cancers about nature and duration of symptoms using a postal questionnaire. We calculated relative risks for delay in presentation (time from symptom onset to first presentation >3 months) by cancer, symptoms leading to diagnosis and reasons for putting off going to the doctor, controlling for age, sex and deprivation group.

Results

Among 1999 cancer patients reporting symptoms, 21% delayed presentation for >3 months. Delay was associated with

SUBMITTER: Forbes LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4119978 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature