Factors influencing time to seeking medical advice and onset of treatment in women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in Serbia
| Autor: | Natasa Milic, J. Trifunovic, Lj Stamatovic, Andja Cirkovic, Z. Gajic, A. Parezanovic, N. Boskov, Vasović S, M. Icevic |
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| Rok vydání: | 2017 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
medicine.medical_specialty Time Factors Health Behavior Treatment outcome Early detection Breast Neoplasms Experimental and Cognitive Psychology Medical Oncology patient delay time 03 medical and health sciences breast cancer 0302 clinical medicine Breast cancer Medical advice Surveys and Questionnaires Internal medicine Health care medicine Humans 030212 general & internal medicine Aged Gynecology Secondary level business.industry Validated questionnaire Middle Aged Patient Acceptance of Health Care medicine.disease 3. Good health System characteristics Psychiatry and Mental health Cross-Sectional Studies Oncology 030220 oncology & carcinogenesis Self-Examination system delay time Female business Attitude to Health Serbia |
| Zdroj: | Psycho-Oncology. 27:576-582 |
| ISSN: | 1057-9249 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/pon.4551 |
| Popis: | Objective: Streamlining the diagnosis is a key factor in improving the treatment outcomes for breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing time to seeking medical advice and treatment onset in women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in Serbia. Methods: The study was a multicenter, cross-sectional national survey, performed at 10 oncology centers in Serbia. Time intervals spent throughout the complex diagnostic pathway were evaluated using a validated questionnaire administered to women with breast cancer (n = 800). Total interval (TI) was determined using predefined time scales, including one referring to patient interval (PI), and several related to health care system interval (SI). Results: Mean PI, SI, and TI were 4.5, 9.2, and 12.9 weeks, respectively; 20% of patients had a PI>12 weeks. Based on the multivariate regression model, longer PI was associated with perceived lack of time and personal disregard or trivialization of detected symptoms and signs. Women who were supported by family members or friends and had at least a secondary level education tended to have a shorter PI. Longer PI was correlated with a longer SI, while regular self-examination, having been diagnosed by an oncologist, and living in a major city were associated with shorter SI. Conclusions: Several factors, related to psychological, demographic, behavioral, and health system characteristics, determined both the time to seeking medical advice and treatment onset for breast cancer. These findings support review and refining of national strategies and policies to promote early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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