title: Delays in seeking cancer diagnosis in relation to beliefs about the curability of cancer in patients with different disease locations.
abstract: This study is aimed at investigating factors leading to delayed oncologic examinations versus immediate consultation with a physician in patients with various cancers. We analysed the results of a study of patients (n = 291) reporting for their first oncologic examinations. We conducted structured interviews containing social, demographic and clinical data, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory and Harris and Guten's health appraisal scores. Based on an analysis of decision-making trees, the results indicate that it is possible to predict beliefs regarding the curability of cancer and immediate versus delayed reporting to a physician. Delayed reports may be predicted on the basis of two factors: (1) a belief that cancer is incurable combined with increased state anxiety, 'good' or 'very good' self-appraisal of health and low depression; and (2) a belief that cancer is incurable accompanied by increased anxiety and depression. The characteristics of patients delaying a visit to the oncologist suggest the existence of three independent factors leading to both considerable (longer than nine months) and minor (up to one month) delays in seeking treatment.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, University of Finance and Management in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. g.szawlowska4@upcpoczta.pl
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chojnacka-Szawłowska
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kościelak
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karasiewicz
authors.forename: Mikołaj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majkowicz
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kozaka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult