Patient-responsible delay of treatment in cancer.A social psychological study

D continues to be the greatest single hurdle to be overcome in the fight to cure cancer with currently known techniques. Despite concentrated medical and educational efforts to the contrary, large numbers of patients still delay seeking assistance un ti1 the disease has reached advanced stages. The present inquiry investigates delay and culpability for delay in a Texas population. The immediate purpose of the study is not merely to isolate WHAT the reasons for delay are as contrasted to promptness in seeking diagnosis and treatment. The intention is to probe behind stated reasons in order to evaluate social psychological factors that might explain WHY the delay.