Causes of diagnostic and treatment delays in locally advanced breast cancer: a nationwide multicenter survey and electronic health records analysis in Turkiye
GK Çakmak, Ufuk Tali, Hakan Balbaloglu, Ilhan Tasdoven, Oguzhan Deniz, Yigit Ozaydin, Hamide Kaya, Mustafa Comert, Enver Ozkurt, Hasan Karanlik, Ismail Zihni, H. Figen Batu, Veli Vural, Lutfi Dogan, Mufide Nuran Akcay, Semra Gunay, Taner Kivilcim, Pelin Basim, Gultekin Ozan Kucuk, Ahmet Pergel, Gokturk Maralcan, M. Umit Ugurlu, Gunay Gurleyik, Arzu Akan, Ali Uzunkoy, Emine Yildirim, Hande Koksal, Mehmet Ali Gulcelik, Baris Morkavuk, B. Imge Ucar, A. Cihat Yildirim, H. B. Kocer, O. Gumusay, Cihan Uras, Metin Varli, Yeliz E. Ersoy, Beyza Ozcinar, Neslihan Cabioglu, Tolga Kafadar, Bartu Badak, Ahmet Dag, Atakan Sezer, Sibel Ozkan Gurdal, Orhan Agcaoglu, Ece Dilege, N. Zafer Canturk, O. Eren Yildiz, K. Dalci, Ayse Altinok, Yasemin Bolukbasi, Ali Ilker Filiz, Duygu Bayir, Ozgur Olmez, Bekir H. Bakkal, Burak Bahadir, Banu Alicioglu, Mustafa Cagatay Buyukuysal, Elifcan Haberal, Aysegul Aktas, Abut Kebudi, Gurhan Sakman, Selman Emiroglu, Nurullah Bakir, Vahit Ozmen
article (Uluslararası, Hakemli) | Yazar(lar): GK Çakmak, Ufuk Tali, Hakan Balbaloglu, Ilhan Tasdoven, Oguzhan Deniz, Yigit Ozaydin, Hamide Kaya, Mustafa Comert, Enver Ozkurt, Hasan Karanlik, Ismail Zihni, H. Figen Batu, Veli Vural, Lutfi Dogan, Mufide Nuran Akcay, Semra Gunay, Taner Kivilcim, Pelin Basim, Gultekin Ozan
Delays in breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and treatment negatively impact survival outcomes. Understanding patient- and provider-related factors behind these delays is crucial. This study aimed to identify nationwide reasons for delayed diagnosis and treatment of locally advanced BC in Turkiye. A prospective, multicenter hospital-based survey was conducted across 35 institutions between 2023 and 2024. Patient- and provider-related delays were assessed via a structured 61-item face-to-face survey, supplemented by clinical data from electronic health records. Delays exceeding 3 months were clinically categorized as significant. A total of 1322 women participated from seven regions across Turkiye. Factors contributing to diagnostic delays on a national level included economic reasons (5.5%), lack of family support (3.3%), lack of knowledge (12.4%), lack of time due to household work (3.8%), difficulty in finding an appointment (6.7%), pregnancy-related reasons (1.1%), fear of losing the breast (8.9%), fear of death (9.8%), and transportation difficulties (5.1%). Provider-related delays were infrequent. About 89.3% of the patients had the initial doctor appointment and 89.6% had the first specialist consultation within one month. Treatment planning was predominantly based on a multidisciplinary team decision in 88.3% of patients. Regarding treatment initiation, 93.2% started required treatment within 1 month of decision. Patient-related factors are the major causes of diagnostic delay in Turkiye. On the other hand, from the provider's perspective, the presence of multidisciplinary teams, including dedicated breast surgeons, represents a key factor in ensuring the timely implementation of diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies.