Identification of factors influencing delayed presentation of cancer patients

Authors

  • Gargie Sharma Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
  • Sweety Gupta Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3893-2781
  • Amit Gupta Department of Surgery, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
  • Vasantha C. Kalyani Nursing College, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
  • Kusum K. Rohilla Nursing College, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
  • Aathira Thozhuthungal Sreejeev Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
  • Yan Pothung Yanthan Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
  • Utkarsh Kumar Department of Surgery, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
  • Biswajyoti Das Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
  • Gaurav Sharma Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
  • Amit Sehrawat Department of Medical Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
  • Manoj Gupta Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20201709

Keywords:

Cancer detection, Delayed, Survival, Awareness

Abstract

Background: Delayed presentation of patients of cancer is associated with poorer survival. Early presentation, timely diagnosis and treatment are critical factors in improving long-term survival for patients with cancer. Thus, reducing delays in diagnosis of cancer should be a priority. Against this backdrop this study was conducted to identify factors leading to delayed presentation of patients in advanced stages of cancer at our institute.  

Methods: Newly diagnosed patients of cancer coming to radiation oncology, surgery and medical oncology outpatient departments were included in this study. Data was collected in a pre-validated questionnaire format.

Results: 360 patients were included. Majority of patients 212 (58.9%) were male. 66.7% patients were from rural areas. Most of the patient’s educational level was upto primary schooling 178 (49.4%) and caregiver educational level was upto primary schooling 153 (42.5%). Reason for alternative treatment correlated significantly with patient awareness about the disease (p<0.03). Most common reason of the time gap given by patients was symptom appraisal 258 (71.7%).

Conclusions: Educational level of patients, symptom appraisal, fear of side effects of treatment and awareness about disease were main reasons for delay in presentation of cancer patients. So, education regarding warning signs of cancer and symptom appraisal are important in reducing delays in presentation.

Author Biographies

Gargie Sharma, Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

  • MBBS Student, AIIMS Rishikesh

Sweety Gupta, Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology AIIMS Rishikesh

Amit Gupta, Department of Surgery, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

Additional Professor, Department of Surgery AIIMS Rishikesh

Vasantha C. Kalyani, Nursing College, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

Associate Professor Department of Nursing AIIMS Rishikesh

Kusum K. Rohilla, Nursing College, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

Tutor Nursing College, AIIMS Rishikesh

Aathira Thozhuthungal Sreejeev, Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

  • Junior Resident, Department of Radiation Oncology AIIMS Rishikesh

Yan Pothung Yanthan, Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

Junior Resident, Department of Radiation Oncology AIIMS Rishikesh

Biswajyoti Das, Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

  • Junior Resident, Department of Radiation Oncology AIIMS Rishikesh

Gaurav Sharma, Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

  • Senior Resident, Department of Radiation Oncology AIIMS Rishikesh

Amit Sehrawat, Department of Medical Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Medical  Oncology AIIMS Rishikesh

Manoj Gupta, Department of Radiation Oncology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

Prof & Head Department of Radiation Oncology AIIMS Rishikesh

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Published

2020-04-24

How to Cite

Sharma, G., Gupta, S., Gupta, A., Kalyani, V. C., Rohilla, K. K., Thozhuthungal Sreejeev, A., Yanthan, Y. P., Kumar, U., Das, B., Sharma, G., Sehrawat, A., & Gupta, M. (2020). Identification of factors influencing delayed presentation of cancer patients. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 7(5), 1705–1710. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20201709

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Original Research Articles