FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO DELAYED DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF GYNECOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE - A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis and management of primary gynecological cancers are often delayed in low- and middle-income countries. Women mostly seek help in well advanced stages when treatment options are limited. Early diagnosis and treatment will ensure a better quality of life. A cross sectionalMaterials & Methods: study design was used to screen women attending the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Gynaecology at Government Medical College, Thrissur for gynaecological cancers, during the study period. All those admitted for evaluation and treatment for a primary genital tract malignancy were recruited. Demographic particulars, symptoms, time from onset of symptoms to seeking professional help, interval from diagnosis to treatment and reasons for delay in initiating treatment were recorded and analysed. Eighty-four women met the criteria for the study. Most (71.4%) of the women with cancer wereResults &Discussion: 50 years old or more. Many of them (70.3%) were from families that were Below Poverty Line. Educational status, lack of awareness of preventive public health programs, ignorance about warning symptoms, nancial issues, lack of care givers, fear and embarrassment about symptoms were found to be contributory factors for the delay in seeking treatment. Referral and treatment delays and diagnoses at an advanced stage . Scaling up of public awareness of early warningConclusion: symptoms and the available preventive programs are essential to enable optimal utilization of health services for early diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological cancers.