Factors influencing patient and health care delays in Oropharyngeal Cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is increasing. Patients with HPV-associated and HPV-unassociated OPSCC differ in many aspects, which may also impact their diagnostic and management timelines. This study aims at studying the patient, primary health care (PHC) and specialist-care (SC) delays and possible differences between these two patient groups in seeking medical care.

Methods

We reviewed all new patients with OPSCC treated between 2016 and 2018 at our institute, which covers a referral area of 1.6 million people. We collected data on patients' symptoms and factors influencing why they sought medical care using a patient-reported questionnaire and hospital records. We compared delays based on p

SUBMITTER: Nieminen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7181590 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature