Why women delay seeking assistance for locally advanced breast cancer

Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) occurs in 10% to 30% of all new primary breast cancer diagnoses. For reasons that are not well-understood, 20% to 30% of women with breast cancer (at all stages) wait eight weeks or more from the time they notice the breast symptom(s) to when they seek assistance from a health care provider. Comprehending the mechanisms that support the health appraisal and health seeking behaviour is paramount and not well understood, particularly for women with LABC. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the cognitive, emotional, and contextual experience of women with locally advanced breast cancer in the time between symptom discovery and seeking health care. In-depth qualitative interviews and a cross-case, content analysis revealed that the participants delayed their search for assistance because they did not perceive themselves to be at risk for developing breast cancer, had a symptom other than a lump, and so misattributed or minimized the gravity of the symptom, had a previous experience with a benign tumour, and/or were experiencing concurrent stressful life events. These participants were motivated to seek attention if they had an already scheduled appointment with a health professional for another matter, felt the symptom worsen over time, or were motivated by a loved one to seek help. Implications for health promotion and for education with women with benign breast disease, as well as the general public, are discussed.