Objective 　To explore the delay in help-seeking by breast cancer patients in Sichuan province.
Methods 　A cross-sectional survey was performed in 327 patients with breast cancer from 7 first-level hospitals in Sichuan province, from July 2006 to January 2007. The following items were assessed: the time of symptom onset, the time of help-seeking, the time of definitive diagnosis, and the time of cancer treatment. The median times of patient delay, medical delay and total delay were computed.
Results 　A total of 327 patients were surveyed and 312 questionnaires were distributed, with a response rate of 95%; 308 were retrieved, with a retrieval rate of 99%; and 283 were identified as valid, with a valid retrieval rate of 92%. The median time of total delay was 94 days, with an incidence of 50.2%; the median time of patient delay was 50 days, with an incidence of 35.7%; the median time of medical delay was 10 days, with an incidence of 16.7%.
Conclusion 　Help-seeking delay by breast cancer patients is common in Sichuan province. Since patient delay contributes most to the total delay, it is important to control this portion.

Citation： WANG Guorong,JIANG Xiaol ian. Help-seeking Delay by Breast Cancer Patients in Sichuan Province. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 2007, 07(10): 702-705. doi: Copy