Factors that Influence Treatment Delay for Patients with Breast Cancer

Abstract

The diagnosis or treatment of breast cancer is sometimes delayed. A lengthy delay may have a negative psychological impact on patients. Our study aim is to evaluate the sociodemographic, clinical and pathological factors associated with delay in the provision of surgical treatment for localised breast cancer, in a prospective cohort of patients. MethodThis observational, prospective, multicentre study was conducted in ten hospitals belonging to the Spanish national public health system, located in four Autonomous Communities (regions). The study included 1236 patients, diagnosed through a screening programme or found to be symptomatic, between April 2013 and May 2015. The study variables analysed included each patient's personal history, care situation, tumour history and data on the surgical intervention, pathological anatomy, hospital admission and follow-up.Treatment delay was defined as more than 30 days elapsed between biopsy and surgery. ResultsOver half of the study population experienced surgical treatment delay. This delay was greater for patients with no formal education and among widows, persons not requiring assistance for usual activities, those experiencing anxiety or depression, those who had a high BMI or an above-average number of comorbidities, those who were symptomatic, who did not receive NMR spectroscopy, who presented a histology other than infiltrating ductal carcinoma or who had poorly-differentiated carcinomas. ConclusionsCertain sociodemographic and clinical variables are associated with surgical treatment delay. This study identifies factors that influence surgical delays, highlighting the importance of preventing these factors and of raising awareness among the population at risk and among health personnel.

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Análise do Tempo para Início do Tratamento Oncológico no Brasil: Fatores Demográficos e Relacionados à Neoplasia

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ASO Author Reflections: Predictive Factors for Surgical Treatment Delay in Localised Breast Cancer

“…3 Sociodemographic parameters, clinical characteristics and lifestyle habits were studied. 4 PRESENT Over half of the study population experienced surgical treatment delay ([ 30 days). Patients with no formal education, widows, people not requiring assistance for usual activities, those with anxiety or depression, a high BMI, comorbidities, those who were symptomatic, patients with histology different to ductal infiltrating carcinoma or those with poorly differentiated carcinomas were related to a greater surgical treatment delay.…”

“…Patients with no formal education, widows, people not requiring assistance for usual activities, those with anxiety or depression, a high BMI, comorbidities, those who were symptomatic, patients with histology different to ductal infiltrating carcinoma or those with poorly differentiated carcinomas were related to a greater surgical treatment delay. 4…”