![]() ![]() The patient interval - defined as the time between symptom discovery and the initial visit to a health care professional - accounts for the longest period of time between symptom detection and start of treatment. Įarly detection of cancer can improve survival outcomes, and in part relies on prompt cancer symptom presentation. ![]() It has been estimated that the socioeconomic inequalities in cancer survival account for more than 7000 lives in England annually. For example, in the UK 11 % more cases of lung cancer occur in the most income deprived group compared to the least income deprived group, and the relative difference for 1 year survival between the highest and lowest socioeconomic groups is 2.6 %. This is likely to reflect a higher incidence of cancers with poor prognosis, such as lung cancer and later stage disease at diagnosis in low socioeconomic groups, as a consequence of prolonged cancer symptom presentation. Socioeconomic inequalities in cancer outcomes exist, where the chances of surviving cancer decrease with increasing deprivation. Economic hardship meant fulfilling basic day-to-day needs such as finding money for food were prioritised over medical help seeking (Opportunity). Discussing symptoms with a family member or friend before a visit to the family physician was the norm, and could act as a barrier or facilitator depending on the quality of advice given (Opportunity). Participants’ behavioural and normative beliefs were usually formed and reinforced by people they knew with cancer, and such beliefs were considered to lengthen the patient interval. ![]() Social networks (Opportunity) were influential on the formation of knowledge and beliefs about cancer. These in combination were associated with a lengthened patient interval among participants. ![]() There was evidence of poor awareness of non-specific cancer symptoms (Capability), fearful and fatalistic beliefs about cancer (Motivation), and various barriers to accessing an appointment with the family physician (Opportunity) and full disclosure of symptoms (Capability). ![]()
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