Delays in time to primary treatment after a diagnosis of breast cancer: does it impact survival?

Mujar, M. and Dahlui, M. and Yip, C.H. and Taib, N.A. (2013) Delays in time to primary treatment after a diagnosis of breast cancer: does it impact survival? Preventive Medicine, 56 (3-4). pp. 222-224. ISSN 0091-7435,

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Abstract

Objective. Treatment delays in breast cancer are generally thought to affect prognosis but the impact on survival remains unclear. Indicators for breast cancer care include time to primary treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether time to primary treatment (TPT) in breast cancer impacts survival. Method. A total of 648 breast cancer patients treated in the University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC), Malaysia between 2004 and 2005 were included in the study. TPT was calculated from the date of pathological diagnosis to the date of primary treatment. Mortality data was obtained from the National Registry of Births and Deaths. Last date of follow-up was November 2010. Results. Median TPT was 18 days. Majority 508 (69.1) of the patients received treatment within 30 days after diagnosis. The majority was surgically treated. Ethnicity (p = 0.002) and stage at presentation (p = 0.007) were significantly associated with delayed TPT. Malay ethnicity had delayed TPT compared to the Chinese; Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.9 (Confidence Interval (CI) 1.237, 2.987). Delayed TPT did not affect overall survival on univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusion. Time to primary treatment after a diagnosis of breast cancer had no impact on overall survival. Further studies on care before diagnosis are important in drawing up meaningful quality indicators. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Additional Information: Mujar, Mastura Dahlui, Maznah Yip, Cheng Har Taib, Nur Aishah
Uncontrolled Keywords: Treatment delay; Survival; Primary treatment; Breast cancer
Subjects: R Medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine
Depositing User: Ms azrahani halim
Date Deposited: 02 Sep 2013 02:21
Last Modified: 02 Sep 2013 02:21
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/8285

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