The delay in detecting cancer can take up to six months from the first symptom and only 12 out of 100 patients find out about their disease early.
This was revealed by a study prepared by IPSOS Healthcare Cono Sur and All.Can Argentina (an international non-profit organization that works to improve the efficiency of cancer care).
According to the research, it takes an average of six months from when a person begins to have symptoms until they receive the diagnosis of an oncological disease in the AMBA region, while there is also a two-month gap between those who have prepaid and those who not.
Furthermore, only 12 out of 100 patients find out about their disease early, demonstrating the need to deepen awareness programs.
For the quantitative study, carried out between 2019 and 2020, 400 men and women over 18 years of age, residents of the AMBA, with a diagnosis of lung, colorectal, hematological, prostate, breast or gynecological cancer were interviewed; among other tumors.
54% were between 45 and 65 years old, with an average age of 55 years. And 6 out of 10 were receiving treatment at the time of the survey. In cases of hematological cancer (leukemias and lymphomas), practically half of the diagnoses occurred in more advanced stages.
On average, the people surveyed had to wait two and a half months from diagnosis to start receiving treatment. Coverage influences above all when the greatest delays are analyzed: 4% of prepaid patients have to wait 6 to 12 months, versus 7% of those who have state social works or are cared for in public hospitals.
Another stretch of the survey showed the main emotional and physical challenges in coping with cancer. 47% of those surveyed pointed to the management of lack of energy and fatigue, 39% to the management of negative thoughts and feelings, and 38% to the physical effects of the treatment.
Half of the patients who suffered emotional effects considered that they had received little information on the subject and felt little prepared to handle them. On the other hand, factors such as the lack of delivery of medication, bureaucracy or the amount of procedures and authorizations were much less mentioned, although it does not necessarily mean that they do not exist or impact on the experience of patients.
Once the quantitative analysis was completed, the second stage of the study began, focused on qualitative aspects. 15 patients participated, 3 oncologists and 2 onco-hematologists. From the patients’ perspective, the most critical moment turns out to be finding out about the diagnosis and the first concerns revolve around an uncertain future at an economic level.
With reference to family relationships, the patient strengthens them and requires assistance, but at the same time, they do not want to be a burden or depend on others in their daily routines. Death is often transformed into a reality that is not talked about.
According to Haydeé González, President of the Argentine Lymphomas Civil Association, who is part of All.Can, “the diagnosis is the stage with the greatest emotional impact. The treatment, on the other hand, is experienced as a paradox: the secondary effects of the treatments added to fear and previous ideas about it, are difficult to symbolize. It is a process that takes time, but it is necessary to better cope with the disease. Therefore, emotional support becomes a fundamental pillar for the oncological disease through ”.
“Cancer is a vital and stressful event, which implies a restructuring not only cognitive, but also family and social. Being able to talk about cancer is proven to improve coping with it; therefore, the use and circulation of the word is encouraged, in all areas. Fear and uncertainty prevail at all stages and the important thing is to be able to identify them, recognize them, observe their nuances and be able to speak about them ”added the president of Linfomas Argentina. (DIB)
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