Explaining Delay in Care Seeking for Breast Cancer Symptoms¹

Abstract

From a theory of care‐seeking behavior, this study answered two questions: Do psychosocial variables (anxiety, utility, norm, and habit) and objective, facilitating conditions (e. g., regular practitioner) influence care‐seeking delay with a breast symptom directly, or are psychosocial influences moderated by facilitating conditions? Do demographic or clinical factors explain delay, controlling for psychosocial variables and facilitating conditions? Women with breast cancer symptoms (N= 106) completed questionnaire measures. Delay was measured by the days between symptom detection and first contact with the health system. Norm and having a regular practitioner were related inversely to delay. The influence of anxiety was moderated by having a regular practitioner. Among women lacking a practitioner, anxiety was related inversely to delay; among women with a practitioner, anxiety was not related to delay. Controlling for psychosocial variables and facilitating conditions, women of color delayed longer than did Caucasians. Findings can guide research and theory about care seeking.

A Theory of Care‐seeking Behavior

“…In one study, prompt care-seeking behavior for breast cancer symptoms was explained, in part, by the interaction of anxiety and having a regular health practitioner. Women with low anxiety and no regular practitioner delayed longer than women with either high anxiety or a regular practitioner (Lauver & Ho, 1991). Also, having no-cost mammography and breast symptoms were found to interact to influence clients' use of mammography (Lane & Fine, 1983).…”

Understanding Hmong Women's Beliefs, Feelings, Norms, and External Conditions About Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening

“…Guided by the TCSB, researchers have explained asymptomatic cancer screening (Lauver, Nabholz, Scott, & Tak, ) and symptomatic care seeking (Lauver & Ho, ). Measures of these concepts were correlated significantly with cancer screening among other in low‐income Caucasian and African American women (Lauver, ; Lauver, Baggot, & Kruse‐Nelles, ).…”

Care‐seeking behavior with breast cancer symptoms in caucasian and african‐american women

“…At least 20 to 26% of women wait 2 to 3 months to seek medical care after finding breast cancer symptoms (Coates et al, 1992;Mor, Masterson-Allen, Goldberg, Guadognoli, & Wool, 1990;Vernon et al, 1985). In two recent studies, women of color sought care later than Caucasians, controlling for socioeconomic factors (Lauver & Ho, 1993;Richardson et al, 1992). These studies were based on samples with more Caucasians than women of color; the latter were African Americans and Latinas.…”

“…Briefly, anxiety, utility, norm, and habit have been related positively to women's intention to seek care promptly for a breast cancer symptom (Lauver & Chang, 1991;Timko, 1987). Worry about symptoms, norm, and habit supporting care seeking, having an identified health practitioner, and accessible health services (facilitators) have been associated with women actually seeking care promptly for breast symptoms (Coates et al, 1992;Lauver & Ho, 1993).…”