Table 2.
Increases delay | Reduces delay |
Appraisal delay | |
Symptoms attributed to minor illness Lack of knowledge or failed to recognize symptom severity Assumed to be part of the ageing process Non-specific symptoms (altered bowel habits, unexplained weight loss) Self-treatment | Specific symptoms (rectal bleeding, abdominal pain) Symptoms frequent, severe or affect the person’s daily life Pain, vomiting and intestinal obstruction as initial symptoms |
Illness delay | |
Younger patients Low socioeconomic status Lower educational level Rural areas Lack of additive private health insurance Family history of cancer | Comorbidity High educational level Retirement |
Behavioural delay | |
Fear of pain Fear of cancer Fear of unpleasant or embarrassing investigations Denial of symptoms | Social support Disclosure of symptoms to someone close Knowing a person with CRC |
Scheduling delay | |
Too busy to visit Unpleasant or embarrassing visit | Trust in GP |
CRC: Colorectal cancer; GP: General practitioner.