Delay in Seeking Medical Attention and Diagnosis in Chinese Melanoma Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Xinchen Ke, Tianhao Wu, Guiyun Gao, Songchun Yang, Wenrui Lin, Yi Xiao, Minxue Shen, Mingliang Chen, Xiang Chen, Shuang Zhao and Juan Su ()
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Xinchen Ke: Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
Tianhao Wu: Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
Guiyun Gao: Department of Dermatology, Hunan Aerospace Hospital, Changsha 410205, China
Songchun Yang: Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
Wenrui Lin: Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
Yi Xiao: Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
Minxue Shen: Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
Mingliang Chen: Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
Xiang Chen: Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
Shuang Zhao: Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
Juan Su: Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-8

Abstract: Melanoma is a highly malignant skin tumor, and prolonged delay in seeking medical attention (DSMA) and delay in diagnosis (DD) may result in poor prognoses. Through a web-based questionnaire, we explored the related factors affecting the DSMA and DD of melanoma in a Chinese population. A total of 112 valid answer sheets were received. After obtaining the relevant information, we analyzed the factors associated with DSMA and DD. The median time of DSMA was 8.0 (quartiles: 1.0, 29.3) months, and the median of patients’ DD was 1.0 (quartiles: 1.0, 8.3) month. The subsequent analysis showed that DSMA and DD were positively correlated to age and negatively correlated to education background and annual household income. Patients with a history of tumors or previous health-seeking behavior because of other skin lesions had significantly longer DSMA than those without. Patients who sought medical help at general tertiary hospitals for the first time had a significantly shorter DD than those who chose other hospitals. Our study found that DSMA and DD are associated with factors such as age, education, income, and patients’ histories. Secondary prevention of Chinese melanoma should be strengthened to reduce DSMA and DD to improve patients’ prognoses.

Keywords: melanoma; delay in seeking medical attention; diagnostic delay; patient delay; Chinese (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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