How Long Are Cancer Patients Waiting for Oncological Therapy in Poland?

Karolina Osowiecka, Monika Rucinska, Jacek J. Nowakowski and Sergiusz Nawrocki
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Karolina Osowiecka: Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with Warmia and Mazury Oncology Center in Olsztyn, Al. Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228 Olsztyn, Poland
Monika Rucinska: Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with Warmia and Mazury Oncology Center in Olsztyn, Al. Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228 Olsztyn, Poland
Jacek J. Nowakowski: Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Pl. Łódzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland
Sergiusz Nawrocki: Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Ul. Ceglana 35, 40-514 Katowice, Poland

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: Background: The five-year relative survival rate in Poland is approximately 10% lower compared with the average for Europe. One of the factors that may contribute to the inferior treatment results in Poland could be the long time between cancer suspicion and the beginning of treatment. The aim of the study was to determine the real waiting time for cancer diagnosis and treatment in Poland. Methods: The study was carried out in six cancer centers on a group of 1373 patients, using a questionnaire to interview patients. The median waiting time was estimated as follows: (A) from suspicion (the date of the first visit, with symptoms, to a doctor or a preventive or screening test) until histopathological diagnosis; (B) from suspicion until initial treatment; and (C) from diagnosis until initial treatment. Results: The median times from suspicion to treatment, from suspicion to diagnosis, and from diagnosis to treatment, were 10.6, 5.6, and 5.0 weeks, respectively. Using multivariate analysis, the strongest influence was estimated, in a case of tumor localization, to be the method of initial treatment and facilities. Conclusion: The waiting time for cancer treatment in Poland is too long. The highest influence on waiting time was determined, in the case of tumors, as the type of cancer and factors related to the health care system.

Keywords: cancer; waiting time; diagnosis; health services (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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