BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among women, which is associated with age. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer can lead to disease progression, ultimately increase mortality and reduce survival rates in patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interval from the onset of the first sign of breast cancer to start of treatment in patients with breast cancer during 2009-2014.
METHODS: In this retrospective descriptive-analytic study, 100 women were selected using census method. Data were collected from the patients' medical records and documents using a checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 through descriptive (Mean and standard deviation, frequency) and analytical (Chi-square) tests. The significance level was considered p<0/05.
FINDINGS: Based on the results, the first sign was breast mass in 61% of the patients. In 39% of patients, the first physician to whom the patients referred was a general surgeon. In 71% of cases, the interval from the onset of the first sign to referral to the physician was less than 3 months and in 29% of patients was more than 3 months. Moreover, in 84% of patients, the time interval from referral to physician to diagnosis was less than 1 month. The interval from diagnosis to surgical treatment in 86 % and from final surgical treatments to chemotherapy in 87% of patients was less than 1 month. There was no statistically significant relationship between patients' demographic characteristics and patient and health care system delays (p> 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Considering the 47% delay of patient in the referral process to the physician, it seems that women's education on breast cancer screening methods should be emphasized. In addition, due to the growing trend of age-related cancer, the special screening programs for women especially in elderly age should be developed and implemented.