Author:

• Ângela Gabrielly Freitas - Freitas, Ângela Gabrielly - Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde Publica - <mathiasweller@uepb.edu.br> +

Co-author(s):

• Mathias Weller - Weller, Mathias - Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB), Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde Publica - <mathiasweller@uepb.edu.br>

Thematic Area:

Avaliação de Serviços de Saúde

Abstract:

Breast cancer care delays have been associated with increased stage of disease and decreased patient survival. The aim of this integrative review was to analyse the main causal factors and types of patient and system delays. Objectives and underlying causal factors of delays were compared among studies conducted in developing and developed countries. Of 53 studies selected, 24 were carried out in developing countries and 29 in developed countries, respectively. Non-attribution of symptoms to cancer, fear of disease and treatment and low educational level were the most frequent causes of patient delay. Poor insurance status, older or younger age and false negative diagnostic tests were the three most common causal factors of system delay. Effects of factors such as age were not decisive themselves, but depended mainly on the social and cultural context. Some factors caused both patient delay and system delay. Studies conducted in developing countries identified more causal factors of patient delay and had a stronger focus on patient delay or the combination of both patient delay and system delay. Studies conducted in developed countries had a stronger focus on aspects of system delay during treatment and navigation of breast cancer patients through the health care system.

Keywords:

Breast cancer delay treatment developing countries developed countries

Content:

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