Modes of presentation and pathways to diagnosis of colorectal cancer in Queensland

Abstract

Objective: To describe the process of colorectal cancer diagnosis in Queensland, and to determine factors associated with time to diagnosis. Design, setting and participants: Cross-sectional study of 1996 patients with colorectal cancer recruited through the Queensland Cancer Registry. Data were collected by computer-assisted telephone interview between May 2003 and August 2005. Main outcome measures: Time to diagnosis: pre-presentation time (time from first noticing a symptom to first presenting to a doctor); and post-presentation time (time between the first presentation and diagnosis). Results: Most patients (90%) had experienced symptoms before being diagnosed with colorectal cancer; onl..