Delayed cervical cancer diagnosis: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cervical cancer (CC) remains a significant global health concern despite advancements in vaccination and screening.
• Early detection is paramount for effective treatment and reducing CC-related mortality.
• Diagnostic delays contribute to advanced-stage diagnoses and poorer outcomes.

Approach:

• A systematic review was conducted, analyzing 45 articles published up to December 2021.
• The review focused on identifying the prevalence of delayed CC diagnosis and associated contributing factors.
• Data on diagnostic delays and their impact on CC staging were extracted and synthesized.

Key Points:

• Delayed CC diagnosis affects a substantial proportion of patients, ranging from 4.3% to 89.1%.
• Advanced CC stages (IIB-IV) were observed in 10.2% to 87.9% of cases attributed to diagnostic delays.
• Diagnostic delays ranged from a median of 59-210 days to a mean of 2.92-10.5 months.

Conclusions:

• Factors contributing to diagnostic delays are multifaceted, encompassing patient-related issues, medical history, and health system barriers.
• Patient delays involve socio-demographic factors, partner influence, and health knowledge.
• Health system delays are linked to facility resources and accessibility, highlighting the need for comprehensive intervention strategies.