title: [From symptoms to seeking doctor].
abstract: 20-30% of patients diagnosed with cancer have delayed help-seeking for three months or longer. Misinterpretation of symptoms as benign is responsible for the long patient delay for some patients, but a number of psychosocial factors have also been identified as barriers for help-seeking. These include lack of social support, anxiety, avoidant coping, social risks, and the relationship between patient and physician. It has to be considered whether some of these factors are to be perceived as barriers or as basic conditions for interpretation of symptoms which cannot and should not be changed.
authors.affiliation: Forskningsenheden for Almen Praksis, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. AFP@alm.au.dk
authors.forename: Anette Fischer
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Rikke Sand
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors