Symptom interpretation and health care seeking in ovarian cancer

Abstract

BackgroundOvarian cancer is the leading cause of death among women suffering from gynaecological malignancies in the Western world. Worldwide, approximately 200,000 women are diagnosed with the disease each year. This article deals with the health care seeking and symptom interpretation process among Danish women, who have a very high mortality rate.MethodsThe health seeking and symptom interpretation process was analysed via combining study methods. The material consisted of registry data dealing with the use of public health care and hospital services of Danish women, newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. These results were combined with findings from semi-structured qualitative research interviews on women's bodily experiences with symptom development.ResultsA number of 663 Danish women with ovarian cancer attended 27 different kinds of primary health care providers in a total of 14,009 visits during 2007. The women also had 6,214 contacts with various hospitals, and obtained 562 different diagnoses.From the main theme "Women's experiences with the onset of symptoms" three sub-themes were identified: "Bodily sensations", "From bodily sensation to symptom", and "Health seeking and treatment start". In all cases the General Practitioner represented the first contact to public health care, acting as gate-keeper to specialist and hospital referral.The women were major users of public health care throughout the diagnostic process and subsequent treatment. All women held personal knowledge concerning the onset of their symptoms. The early symptoms of ovarian cancer might be uncharacteristic and non-disease-specific when interpreted as personal experiences, but they had similarities when analysed together.ConclusionsDiagnostic delay in ovarian cancer seems far from being exclusively a medical problem, as the delay proved to be influenced by organisational, cultural, and social factors, too. Initiatives facilitating the diagnostic process and research concerning the selection of individuals for further investigation are indicated. The way in which the women interpreted their symptoms was influenced by their personal experiences, their cultural, and their social background. This became crucial to the diagnostic process. These issues need to be explored through further research on women's experiences during the diagnostic process.

Awareness of Symptoms and Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer in a Population of Women and Healthcare Providers

“…Despite this and the moderate knowledge of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, delays in diagnosis occur frequently (Cooper et al, 2013;Evans et al, 2007;Koldjeski et al, 2004;Seibaek et al, 2011). Despite this and the moderate knowledge of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, delays in diagnosis occur frequently (Cooper et al, 2013;Evans et al, 2007;Koldjeski et al, 2004;Seibaek et al, 2011).…”

Tissue CA125 and HE4 Gene Expression Levels Offer Superior Accuracy in Discriminating Benign from Malignant Pelvic Masses

“…The clinical symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and similar to those observed in other benign conditions; hence, the majority of patients are often diagnosed at a late stage which almost always translates into a poor prognosis (Seibaek et al, 2011). To date, there are a growing number of patients who present with a pelvic mass; therefore, it is necessary to identify the potential malignant ovarian disease DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2016.17.1.323 Tissue CA125 and HE4 Gene Expression Offers Superior Accuracy in Discriminating Benign from Malignant Pelvic Masses risk as early as possible to improve clinical outcome and survival of patients (Kobayashi et al, 2012).…”

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in laboratory medicine and an algorithm in renal disorders

“…Ovarian cancer has a major impact on health care, being the second most common malignancy in women, but is still the leading cause of death in females who have gynecological tumors in the Western world [1]. Although this tumor type may develop at young ages, the median patient age is 65 years; hence, the majority of the cases are postmenopausal women [2].…”