Impact of Delays on Breast Cancer Survival
Author Information
Author(s): Richards M A, Smith P, Ramirez A J, Fentiman I S, Rubens R D
Primary Institution: ICRF Clinical and Psychosocial Oncology Groups, GKT School of Medicine, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
Hypothesis
Delays in presentation and treatment of breast cancer negatively influence survival rates.
Conclusion
Longer delays in seeking treatment for breast cancer are associated with worse survival outcomes.
Supporting Evidence
- 32% of patients had symptoms for 12 or more weeks before their first hospital visit.
- Survival was worse among women with longer delays, with 52% survival for those with delays less than 12 weeks compared to 47% for those with longer delays after 10 years.
- At 20 years, survival rates were 34% for those with delays less than 12 weeks and 24% for those with longer delays.
Takeaway
If women wait too long to see a doctor about breast cancer symptoms, they may not live as long.
Methodology
The study recorded the duration of symptoms prior to hospital referral for women with breast cancer and analyzed survival rates based on the length of delay.
Potential Biases
Potential lead-time bias was controlled for in the analysis.
Limitations
The study is limited to women who presented to a single hospital and may not be generalizable to all breast cancer patients.
Participant Demographics
Women with any stage of breast cancer who presented to Guy's Hospital between 1975 and 1990.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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