Explaining time elapsed prior to cancer diagnosis: patients’ perspectives

Abstract

BackgroundCancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. Early cancer diagnosis could improve patients’ prognosis and quality of life. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing elapsed time between the first help-seeking trigger and cancer diagnosis with respect to the three most common and deadliest cancer types: lung, breast, and colorectal.MethodsThis paper presents the qualitative component of a larger project based on a sequential explanatory design. Twenty-two patients diagnosed were interviewed, between 2011 to 2013, in oncology clinics of four hospitals in the two most populous regions in Quebec (Canada). Transcripts were analyzed using the Model of Pathways to Treatment.ResultsPre-diagnosis elapsed time and phases are difficult to appraise precisely and vary according to cancer sites and symptoms specificity. This observation makes the Model of Pathways to Treatment challenging to use to analyze patients’ experiences. Analyses identified factors contributing to elapsed time that are linked to type of cancer, to patients, and to health system organization.ConclusionsThis research allowed us to identify avenues for reducing the intervals between first symptoms and cancer diagnosis. The existence of inequities in access to diagnostic services, even in a universal healthcare system, was highlighted.

Co‐construction of health technology assessment recommendations with patients: An example with cardiac defibrillator replacement

“…The aims of the data collection carried out for the present project were firstly to continuously improve the co‐construction methodology process while it took place and secondly to assess the added value of PI to HTA, as appreciated by the various participants involved. Using a formative evaluation approach, we qualitatively assessed the feasibility and acceptability of our process, during which patients and health‐care professionals actively collaborated . We combined data collection, logical analysis and implementation of changes in this project.…”

Factors that Correlate with The Health Services Seeking on Breast Cancer Patients

“…In this study, there was a relationship between health beliefs and delay in the search for health services. This may be due to several factors such as the patient presuming that the symptoms were not dangerous, the selection of traditional medicine as the first treatment, and the fear of breast cancer examination and treatment (Brousselle et al, 2017). Symptoms that appear were often regarded as something that was not dangerous because in general, the initial symptoms were felt like a lump does not cause pain so that they regarded it as something that was not harmful.…”

“…There are two main factors that affect the delay of breast cancer patients to come to the health service including internal factors derived from within the individual itself and external factors originating from outside the breast cancer patients (eg. family) and health organizations that can facilitate early detection of cancer (Brousselle et al, 2017).…”

“…Families are the main drivers for their self-examination but breast cancer patients tend to ignore the invitations of their families. The suggestion from the study says that there needs to be a deeper involvement of health workers, especially in the field of better health promotion so that knowledge does not cause anxiety or excessive acknowledgment in patients (Brousselle et al, 2017, Anggraeni et al, 2012 .…”

Pilihan Pengobatan Pasien Kanker Payudara Masa Kemoterapi: Studi Kasus

“…Dampak akan terasa lebih berat bila terjadi pada usia reproduksi karena berkaitan dengan seksualitas dan posisi perempuan sebagai istri dan ibu (Brousselle, et al, 2017;Murtiwi, Nurachmah, & Nuraini, 2005).…”