Delay in presentation of symptomatic referrals to a breast clinic: patient and system factors

摘要: We attempted to identify factors associated with delay in presentation and assessment of women breast symptoms who attended a London clinic. A total 692 consecutive symptomatic referrals, aged 40–75 years, were studied. Patient delay, assessed prior diagnosis, was defined as time elapsing between symptom discovery first medical provider. This studied relation to: reasons for delaying, beliefs attitudes, socio-demographic clinical variables, psychiatric morbidity subsequent diagnosis. Thirty-five per cent the cohort delayed 4 weeks or more (median 13 days). The most common reason given that they thought their not serious (odds ratio (OR) = 5.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6–8.0). Others would go away (OR 3.73, CI 2.2–6.4) because scared 4.61, 2.1–10.0). Delay but age. Patients turned out have cancer tended less 7 days) significantly. Median system – consultation clinic visit 18 days. had those so diagnosed seen promptly 14 Most factors, including socio-economic status ethnicity non-contributory. Beliefs about attribution are important determining when present. Health education messages should aim convince condition requires urgent evaluation, without engendering fear them. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign