An exploration of the ‘how and why’ of diagnostic delay in breast cancer: a healthcare provider perspective

To identify the reasons for diagnostic delay in breast cancer, healthcare providers, due to their direct contact with patients, are a prime option for uncovering these factors. Diagnostic delay is defined as the time interval from the initial observation of symptoms to the definitive diagnosis by a physician using diagnostic methods. Consequently, this research was conducted with the aim of An Exploration of the ‘How and Why’ of Diagnostic Delay in Breast Cancer: A HealthCare Provider Perspective. This study employed a qualitative approach, collecting data through semi-structured individual interviews with care providers. The subsequent analysis utilized conventional content analysis, specifically adhering to the framework proposed by Elo and Kyngas. This method guided the systematic process of identifying manifest and latent content, coding, and categorizing the transcribed interview data. For data management and organization, MaxQDA software (version 20) was employed. The study included 16 physicians and 14 nurses, with individual interviews lasting approximately 40 to 50 min. Participants had a mean age of 40.3 ± 8.5 years, with 70% female and 30% male. Qualitative content analysis identified five major categories related to the delayed diagnosis of breast cancer: Individual patient-related factors, competing priorities, misleading knowledge, socio-cultural factors, and shortcomings in healthcare systems. Sixteen specific sub-categories emerged within these, including: specific physical conditions, coping strategies for illness, multiple responsibilities, advancing education or work, starting a vacation or holiday, events and occasions, crisis situations, low awareness, misinformation, social life, shame about nudity, lack of precise knowledge among healthcare providers, inappropriate diagnostic protocols, faulty policies, lack of referral system, and weak oversight of traditional medicine. This study uniquely highlights provider perceptions regarding obstacles to timely breast cancer diagnosis. Recognizing that many identified barriers are modifiable, targeted interventions can be implemented to minimize preventable delays. Specifically, addressing shortcomings in healthcare systems such as improving diagnostic protocols and establishing robust referral systems, alongside enhancing provider knowledge through targeted training, could significantly expedite the diagnostic process. Furthermore, strategies addressing individual patient factors and competing priorities may require patient education and adjusted healthcare workflows. Implementing these focused strategies presents a feasible approach to reducing diagnostic delays and improving patient outcomes.