title: [Delays in oncology care. Role of patients and of their family physicians].
abstract: Delays between the onset of symptoms, consulting the doctor and the diagnosis are important periods for the success of oncologic treatment. They may depend on the patient's socio-economic status, qualification, relationship with the doctor and the health care system.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Hundred and ten cancer patients were questioned about their age, social status, qualifications and experiences on delay in the diagnostic procedures and frequency of regular attendance by their family doctors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that 67% of the patients visited the family doctor only when they had symptoms. At the time of the onset of symptoms, 45% of the patients visited family doctors. In case of symptoms suggesting cancer, a longer delay was observed in men than in women; 44% of men while 50% of women were diagnosed within one month. The longest delay was observed in a small proportion of patients over 60 years of age with university degree, while the shortest periods were reported in those with secondary school and university degrees. Patients with low income were overrepresented in all delay categories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family physicians may play an important role in the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of tumors but these advantages are not exploited in the relationship between family doctors and their patients.
authors.affiliation: Debreceni Egyetem, Orvos- és Egészségtudományi Centrum, Népegészségügyi Kar, Családorvosi és Foglalkozás-egészségügyi Tanszék, Debrecen.
authors.forename: Éva
authors.initials: É
authors.lastname: Kovács
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bardi
authors.forename: Imre
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rurik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D004522:Educational Status; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors