DELAYS IN INITIAL REFERRAL, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT IN CHILDREN WITH CANCER

Objective: Cancer has been one of the most critical health problems during the past decades which requires serious consideration, especially in developing countries. Methods: 80 parents of children with different types of cancers were studied via both questionnaire and person-to-person interviews after declaring their informed consent. Results: The highest delay in patients' initial referral was due to the following factors: lack of attention or ignoring the first symptoms, delay in referring to the physician, low economic status and even lack of family support for the patient. In addition, visiting several doctors after the initial diagnosis, uncertainty about the first proposed method, and the high cost of treatment can be mentioned as the main causes of delays in the start of treatment. Conclusion: Education plays an important role in identifying the signs of cancer. In addition, proper relationship and cooperation between the health system and physicians as well as provision of adequate information to patients could lead to the long-term cooperation of these patients in continuing their treatment.