Past

Treatment delay for patients with breast cancer impacts on health and produces stress among patients; therefore, it is of vital importance to understand the factors involved. Previous studies have found some clinical-pathological factors associated with surgical treatment delay.1,2 Unlike previous research in this field, the present study prospectively evaluates a large number of patients diagnosed and treated in different public-sector hospitals.3 Sociodemographic parameters, clinical characteristics and lifestyle habits were studied.4

Present

Over half of the study population experienced surgical treatment delay (> 30 days). Patients with no formal education, widows, people not requiring assistance for usual activities, those with anxiety or depression, a high BMI, comorbidities, those who were symptomatic, patients with histology different to ductal infiltrating carcinoma or those with poorly differentiated carcinomas were related to a greater surgical treatment delay.4

Future

In view of the findings obtained in this research, the implementation of measures to reduce the surgical waiting times for patients with breast cancer is recommended. Our identification of factors that influence surgical delay highlights the need to raise awareness of their importance among the population at risk and among healthcare professionals. In addition, more attention should be paid to patients with little formal education, in order to enhance the clinical management of their cancer.