Timeliness of Breast Cancer Treatment in Delaware

Studies have shown timely screening, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer reduces mortality rates. The objective of this study is to evaluate the overall timeliness of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment for Delawarean women using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program's (NBCCEDP) recommendations of 60 days maximum for screening to diagnosis and 60 days maximum for diagnosis to treatment. This study analyzed Delaware Cancer Registry (DCR) data for female Delawarean breast cancer patients diagnosed in 2010 who had valid screening, diagnosis, and treatment dates. Calculations of three time intervals were performed: screening to diagnosis (Time A), diagnosis to treatment (Time B), and screening to treatment (Time C). The mean and median for Time Intervals A (21.2 days, 17.0 days), B (27.8 days, 25.0 days), and C (49.0 days, 42.0 days) met CDC recommendations. Our results show most Delawarean women who had valid screening, diagnosis, and treatment dates received a diagnosis within 60 days of screening and first course of treatment occurred within 60 days of diagnosis and therefore met the NBCCEDP recommendations.