Volume : V, Issue : II, February - 2015

Qualitative Analysis of delay in reporting of breast cancerin a tertiary care center

Hashmi Sj, Gaikwad Av

Abstract :

Background: Delayed presentation of symptomatic east cancer of six months or more is associated with lower survival rates from the disease, yet 36.8% of women wait at least six months before consulting their general practitioner (GP) with east symptoms. Aim: To explore the factors that influence physician consultation by women with east cancer symptoms. Design of study: Qualitative analysis of semi–structured inter–views. Setting: 210 women with newly diagnosed east cancer, registered in Aurangabad cancer registry. Method: Interviews were conducted, compÃ¥ two groups of women divided according to the extent of delay between onset of symptoms and seeking medical care. 134 women had sought advice from their GP within 6 months of symptom discovery (‘nondelayers’) and 76 had waited 6 months or more before seeing their doctor (‘delayers’). Results: Women with east symptoms who presented promptly to GPs recognized the seriousness of the symptom they had dis¬covered more quickly than delayers. Perception of seriousness was influenced by the nature of the initial symptom and how far it matched the individual’s expectations of east cancer as a painless east lump. Other factors affecting help–seeking includ¬ed attitudes to GP attendance, beliefs about the consequences of cancer treatment, and perceptions of other priorities taking precedence over personal health. Conclusions: This analysis suggests that women need further information about the different types of east cancer symptoms to assist symptom recognition, as well as encouragement to seek medical advice for a symptom is ambiguous. In addition, women may benefit from greater awareness of the benefits of early detec¬tion and reassurance about the improvements in quality of east cancer care.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Hashmi SJ, Gaikwad AV Qualitative Analysis of delay in reporting of breast cancerin a tertiary care center Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.5, Issue : 2 February 2015


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