The Consequences of Delay in the Management of Breast Cancer.
Extensive research has been devoted to the studies of the progression and treatments of breast cancer.
However, new research has highlighted the significant impact that neglect and delay in cancer treatment have on the disease and patients.
Studies showed that every month delayed in cancer treatment raises the risk of death by around 10%
However, new research has highlighted the significant impact that neglect and delay in cancer treatment have on the disease and patients.
Studies showed that every month delayed in cancer treatment raises the risk of death by around 10%
These findings are derived from global studies undertaken by cancer organizations and researchers.
Canadian and British research found that seven different cancers, including breast cancer, had a substantial effect on mortality rates when treatment was delayed.
It does not matter whether the delay is caused by surgery, systemic therapy (such as chemotherapy), or radiotherapy or whether it is caused by physicians or patients; they all pose a huge challenge to healthcare systems worldwide.
Canadian and British research found that seven different cancers, including breast cancer, had a substantial effect on mortality rates when treatment was delayed.
It does not matter whether the delay is caused by surgery, systemic therapy (such as chemotherapy), or radiotherapy or whether it is caused by physicians or patients; they all pose a huge challenge to healthcare systems worldwide.
It is widely recognized that these delays negatively impact patients' treatment outcomes, quality of life, and survival.
Breast Cancer Progression:
Research has shown that even a brief timeframe of three months will have a significant impact on the progression of breast cancer.
Cancer cells multiply rapidly, spreading throughout the body and increasing the chances of metastasis.
Breast Cancer Progression:
Research has shown that even a brief timeframe of three months will have a significant impact on the progression of breast cancer.
Cancer cells multiply rapidly, spreading throughout the body and increasing the chances of metastasis.
By initiating treatment early on, the chances of containing the cancer and avoiding its progression are greatly enhanced.
The treatment of breast cancer involves a combination of therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.
The earlier the diagnosis is made, the less harsh therapy is required, which gives the patient a better chance of recovery, less stress, and a longer life expectancy.
The treatment of breast cancer involves a combination of therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.
The earlier the diagnosis is made, the less harsh therapy is required, which gives the patient a better chance of recovery, less stress, and a longer life expectancy.
In other words, tackling cancer in its early stages will help patients avoid more aggressive treatments or complications.
Several countries have seen delays in elective cancer surgery and radiotherapy and cutbacks in the use of systemic therapies.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a greater understanding of the impact of treatment delay on outcomes.
Several countries have seen delays in elective cancer surgery and radiotherapy and cutbacks in the use of systemic therapies.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a greater understanding of the impact of treatment delay on outcomes.
Therefore, a team of researchers led by Timothy Hanna from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, reviewed and analyzed relevant studies published between January 2000 and April 2020.
These studies have data on surgical interventions and systemic therapy.
Such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy for seven forms of cancer
Bladder, breast, colon, rectum, lung, cervix, and head and neck
These together represent 44% of all incidents of cancers globally.
These studies have data on surgical interventions and systemic therapy.
Such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy for seven forms of cancer
Bladder, breast, colon, rectum, lung, cervix, and head and neck
These together represent 44% of all incidents of cancers globally.
Delays were defined as the time it took to go from diagnosis to first therapy or from completion of one treatment to the start of the next; for each indication, they calculated the risk to overall survival per four-week delay as their primary end measure.
They found 34 studies for 17 conditions that needed treatment (indications) involving more than 1.2 million patients collectively.
The association between delay and increased mortality was significant for 13 of these 17 indications.
They found 34 studies for 17 conditions that needed treatment (indications) involving more than 1.2 million patients collectively.
The association between delay and increased mortality was significant for 13 of these 17 indications.
Analysis of the results showed that across all three treatment approaches, a treatment delay of four weeks was associated with an increased risk of death.
For surgery, this was a 6-8% increase in the risk of death for every four-week treatment delay, whereas the impact was even more marked for some radiotherapy and systemic indications, with a 9% and 13% increased risk of death for definitive head and neck radiotherapy and adjuvant (follow-up.)
For surgery, this was a 6-8% increase in the risk of death for every four-week treatment delay, whereas the impact was even more marked for some radiotherapy and systemic indications, with a 9% and 13% increased risk of death for definitive head and neck radiotherapy and adjuvant (follow-up.)
In addition, the researchers calculated that delays of up to eight weeks and 12 weeks further increased the risk of death and used the example of an eight-week delay in breast cancer surgery, which would increase the risk of death by 17%, and a 12-week delay that would increase the risk by 26%.
Dr. Hanna concludes: “A four-week delay in treatment is associated with an increase in mortality across all common forms of cancer treatment, with longer delays being increasingly detrimental.”
Dr. Hanna concludes: “A four-week delay in treatment is associated with an increase in mortality across all common forms of cancer treatment, with longer delays being increasingly detrimental.”
“In light of these results, policies focused on minimizing system-level delays in cancer treatment initiation could improve population-level survival outcomes.”
