Time to diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer: results from the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, 1991-1995.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined times to diagnosis and treatment for medically underserved women screened for breast cancer.


METHODS
Intervals from first positive screening test to diagnosis to initiation of treatment were determined for 1659 women 40 years and older diagnosed with breast cancer.


RESULTS
Women with abnormal mammograms had shorter diagnostic intervals than women with abnormal clinical breast examinations and normal mammograms. Women with self-reported breast symptoms had shorter diagnostic intervals than asymptomatic women. Diagnostic intervals were less than 60 days in 78% of cases. Treatment intervals were generally 2 weeks or less.


CONCLUSIONS
Most women diagnosed with breast cancer were followed up in a timely manner after screening. Further investigation is needed to identify and then address factors associated with longer diagnostic and treatment intervals to maximize the benefits of early detection.
Caplan
L S
LS
Epidemiology and Health Services Research Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga. 30341, USA. lhc9@cdc.gov
May
D S
DS
Richardson
L C
LC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology