Table 4.
Major Themes and Subthemes of Reasons for Delayed or Missed Cancer-Related Care
| Major themes/subthemes | Exemplary quotations |
|---|---|
| Identification of abnormality or abnormal test Patient-identified abnormality Provider-identified abnormality |
“I just started having pains on my breast; my left one and I went to the Doctor, and she sent me for further tests.” (Hispanic, cancer center, breast) |
| “When the itch that burnt started it was right away, you know, I made an appointment and when they gave it to me I came.” (Hispanic, FQHC, breast) | |
| “Because I knew something wasn't right with my breast because it was bleeding and it was bigger.” (African American, cancer center, breast) | |
| “My primary care physician recommended that I come in for a biopsy.” (African American, cancer center, breast) | |
| Patient activation Completing appointments without reminders Seeking free cancer screening tests Requesting immediate action or test results |
“I went ahead and I called the MRI place and I literally insisted on having the report read to me.” (Hispanic, FQHC, breast) |
| “So in other words if there was a problem I just contacted somebody else.” (White, cancer center, breast) | |
| Health care provider as facilitator Verbal reminders Provider proactive measures |
“My doctor keeps me on check. Don't leave it up to me I'll forget all about it.” (African American, FQHC, breast) |
| “My doctor said when you pass 40 you should have one every year.” (African American, cancer center, breast) | |
| “She [primary care physician] found out that I had the lump she referred me right away, and I started going through the treatments.” (African American, cancer center, breast) | |
| Motivation from family or friends Direct motivation (verbal encouragement) Indirect motivation (modeling behavior, inspiration from children) |
“My daughter was influencing me to go find out what's wrong. In her words, she didn't say pap smear, but mom you need to go to the doctor, you need to get to the doctor, you need to get to the doctor.” (African American, cancer center, cervix). |
| “People told me I should go…and why did I put it off too long, my daughter, a couple other friends.” (White, cancer center, breast) | |
| “I've had friends who have suffered with breast cancer. And I've watched them go through what they went through. And I don't want to go through that.” (White, free clinic, breast) | |
| “[My baby] keeps me having a light at the end of the tunnel and to get up and try again another day.” (African American, cancer center, breast) |