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, compå 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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