An open structure questionnaire on reasons for delay in presentation: a study of patients attending clinic with red flag symptoms of head and neck cancer

Purpose Reasons for delayed presentation in cancer are reported as patient or professional delays. Studies have examined patient demographic factors associated with presentation delay, but it is currently unknown why patients feel they delayed presenting. Methods Questionnaire study of consecutive patients attending an urgent suspicion of cancer clinic at a tertiary referral centre in Glasgow over a 3-month period. Results 395 patients were included. 53 (13%) patients waited 0-7 days, 164 (41%) patients 1-4 weeks, 139 (35%) 1-12 months and 31 (8%) waited longer than 12 months, before presenting. 8 (3%) did not state length of time before presentation. 123 (31%) patients were not worried about their symptoms. 5 of the 13(38%) patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer, waited up to 12 months. 5 (38%) cancer patients delayed presentation because they were not worried about symptoms. Conclusion Patients with head and neck cancer are not worried about their symptoms and delay their presentation, possibly contributing towards later stage diagnosis.