RESUMO
Objectives: To assess the causes of delay In cancer diagnosis in lower Sindh, Pakistan and to suggest solutions to the problem
Study Design: ADescriptive study
Place And Duration: At Nuclear Institute of Medical Radiotherapy, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Pakistan over a period of six months from May 2011 to December 2011
Methodology: 100 diagnosed cases of cancer admitted to hospital for diagnosis and treatment included in the study
All patients were interviewed regarding cause of delay in cancer diagnosis and findings were recorded on a printed Performa
Results: The causes for delay were divided into two groups. Delay in diagnosis [9.24 months] and delay in treatment [1.9 months]. Major causes of delay in diagnosis were consulting various doctors [n=85%], financial problems [n=80%], conveyance problem [n=60%] and lack of education [n=65%]. Major cause of delay in treatment was that a lot of time was taken to carry out the investigations to assess the extent of the disease reach to a final diagnosis. Partly the delay occurred [n=60%] because the patients could not keep their appointments due to transport and financial problems
Conclusion: Major causes of delay in cancer diagnosis and treatment indicate the pivotal role of primary doctor's ability to suspect, detect and refer patients with cancer to proper cancer care facility