'I thought it would go away': patient denial in breast cancer.
A significant proportion of patients with cancer present late to the doctor. The characteristics of these patients and the reasons behind their delaying behaviour is poorly understood. In this study a group of 30 women with breast cancer who delayed their presentation were compared with a randomly selected group with the same disease. The women who presented late did not appear to fit into any particular socio-demographic category, but examination of their histories revealed widespread denial of illness and a diversity of beliefs and behaviour.
Phelan
M
M
Maudsley Hospital, London.
Dobbs
J
J
David
A S
AS
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors