Factors Influencing Time to Seeking Medical Advice and Treatment Onset in Breast Cancer Patients in Serbia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim: Cancer suffering patients often delay going to the doctor, leading to the extension of the time elapsed from onset of symptoms to treatment of disease (total delay time; TDT), which can have a negative impact on disease progression and treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine factors affecting two individual segments of TDT: time from the onset of symptoms to seeking medical advice (patient delay time; PDT) and time of first contact with the doctor to starting treatment (system delay time; SDT). Methods: 800 breast cancer patients from 10 centers residing in Serbia were investigated using a uniform questionnaire. TDT was determined using the 8 individual scales, including one referring to patient -related factors, and 7 related to subsequent steps in a typical diagnostic process, i.e. health system related factors. Regression models were performed using the variables from the questionnaire relating to the different personal characteristics and environmental features related to patients. Results: Mean PDT, SDT and TDT were 4.5, 9.2 and 12.9 weeks; 20 % of patients had PDT >12 weeks. In a multivariate regression model longer PDT and SDT were associated with distrust in the health care system and treatment success, lack of time to go to the doctor, and refusing to recognize the severity of the disease (p Conclusions: Several factors, mainly related to psychological and behavioral attributes, strongly determined both delay in seeking medical advice and treatment onset for breast cancer, indicating the need for implementing measures to raise awareness about the importance of early reporting to the doctor after noticing symptoms. Disclosure: L. Stamatovic: The study conducted in order to collect the data was sponsored by Roche; S.D. Mamula Masic: Full time employee of Roche; D. Vukotic: The study conducted in order to collect the data was sponsored by Roche; Z. Kovac: The study conducted in order to collect the data was sponsored by Roche; Z. Mihailovic: The study conducted in order to collect the data was sponsored by Roche; K. Zdravkovic: The study conducted in order to collect the data was sponsored by Roche; D. Petkovic: The study conducted in order to collect the data was sponsored by Roche; T. Bagi: The study conducted in order to collect the data was sponsored by Roche; N. Milic: The study conducted in order to collect the data was sponsored by Roche. I have been done statistical analysis for this abstract.