Purpose: The interval between symptom onset and therapy in patients with colorectal cancer was studied.
Methods: One hundred twenty three patients with colorectal cancer were included. Demography data, symptoms, consultations, and tumour stage were obtained by standardized questionnaires. Risk factors for delayed treatment were analysed.
Results: Eighty six patients suffered from colonic cancer. The total time between the first symptoms and therapy ranged from 13 to 442 days (mean, 148). Delay of surgical therapy was responsible for significantly higher tumour grades. Delayed start of therapy was found to be correlated to the type of cancer, socioeconomic status, marital status, and quality of first consultation (univariate analysis). On multivariate analyses, type of cancer, marital and socioeconomic status remained significantly associated with delayed treatment (all p values ≤ 0.001, r(2) = 0.50).
Conclusions: The delay in treatment of colorectal cancer depends on socioeconomic status and family background. Achieving equity in colorectal cancer detection may require consideration of high-risk subgroups.