[Diagnosis of cancers. Role of sociopsychological factors]

Early diagnosis of cancer is desirable for improving prognosis and rendering treatment more effective. It depends on the type of cancer and its site in particular. Another factor to be considered is the physician, and his/her knowledge and aptitude to manage a diagnostic problem. It depends specially on the time taken by the patient to seek medical advice. The amount of time taken depends on the patients' psycho-social parameters. Patients who have been poorly educated, who are from a low social class, who are alone or who have a fear of cancer are likely to delay consultation after appearance of symptoms. All these factors are difficult to alter. Physicians should be fully aware of these factors, and be able to recognize them in patients. Good personal doctor-patient relations and subsequent quick medical management appear to be more decisive than mass screening in reducing time required for diagnosis.