Relationship between Delayed Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Behavioral Economic Factors and Personality Characteristics

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Behavioral Economics
• Psychology

Background:

• Delayed breast cancer diagnosis can lead to advanced, incurable disease stages.
• Factors contributing to patient delays in seeking treatment remain incompletely understood.
• Identifying these factors is crucial for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate behavioral economic factors and personality traits associated with delayed diagnosis in breast cancer patients.
• To understand why some patients delay seeking medical attention for breast cancer symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of questionnaires from 41 breast cancer patients.
• Definition of delayed diagnosis: >6 months between symptom onset and medical visit.
• Assessment of behavioral economic factors, personality characteristics, and screening history.

Main Results:

• Eleven patients (26.8%) experienced delayed diagnosis.
• Significant factors included less breast cancer screening experience, progressive disease stage, and low time/future time preference.
• No other significant behavioral economic factors or personality differences were identified.

Conclusions:

• Low time preference is a key characteristic of breast cancer patients who delay seeking diagnosis.
• Understanding time preference may inform strategies to reduce diagnostic delays.