UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective:Objectives.To describe and analyse the role of delays in patients with lung cancer

Methods:16 patients with lung cancer were reviewed to find out cause and types of delay in presentation and management. Information were extracted from case notes.

Results:.Two main types of dealy were recognized.They were patients' delay and health services delay. All the patients delay presenting to a formal health center with a mean duration of 5 months. Patients have been receiving care from trado medical persons, and dispensaries before coming to hospital. Ignorance and lack of funds were the main reasons for delay. Some patients delay because of long waiting time inmost hospitals. Female with lung cancer is likely to delay compared with male. Delay is longer in those living in remote area as well as in known smokers.

Health services delay was present in more than 78% of thes patients as definite diagnosis and treatment were not made until3 weeks of hospitalization inthem.Lack of expertise in diagnostics process, non availability of such items and unavailability of drugs were responsible in most cases. There is an urgent need to address these problems in order to enhance cancer control and care.