Help-seeking behaviour for cancer symptoms: an evolutionary concept analysis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Behavior Research
• Medical Sociology

Background:

• Early cancer diagnosis significantly impacts survival rates.
• Assessing help-seeking behaviors for potential cancer symptoms is essential for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the concept of help-seeking behavior specifically for cancer symptoms.
• To provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing this behavior.

Main Methods:

• Concept analysis utilizing Rodger's evolutionary method.
• Systematic literature search across PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases (2000-2017).
• Thematic analysis of 90 peer-reviewed articles to define attributes, antecedents, and consequences.

Main Results:

• Help-seeking behavior for cancer symptoms is defined as an informed decision-making process for seeking medical help post-symptom detection.
• Key attributes include process, problem-centeredness, intentional action, and interpersonal interaction.
• Antecedents (facilitators/barriers) and consequences (positive/adverse) were identified, with factors like age, education, and fear playing dual roles.

Conclusions:

• Help-seeking behavior is a complex, multidimensional concept influenced by time and context.
• Understanding this behavior is vital for measuring patient delay and improving clinical practice and research.
• The study offers insights into the nuances of seeking medical care for potential cancer symptoms.