ABSTRACT
Breast Cancer (BC) is a major health issue in women all over the world. Delayed diagnosis of BC is preventable and has major effects on the patients' prognosis and survival. To explore the reasons of delayed diagnosis of BC in women in Punjab, Pakistan, a qualitative phenomenological study was conducted at the Jinnah Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Females diagnosed more than four months after the appearance of symptoms of BC were recruited using purposive sampling until data saturation. Data collected through in-depth interviews of 15 participants using an interview guide was tape-recorded, transcribed and analysed using inductive thematic analysis framework method. Personal/psychological, Sociocultural, and Health care system related factors were the main themes that emerged from the data. Lack of knowledge, religious beliefs, use of Alternative medicine, socioeconomic status, cultural myths, and distant hospitals were the most influential determinants. Delay in diagnosis is a very significant problem in women with breast cancer and is linked with multiple determinants. However, educating women for recognition of symptoms and reinforcement to pursue earlier medical consultation will be helpful in reducing delay in breast cancer diagnosis.
